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		<title>6 Women-Run Startups to Watch</title>
		<link>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/18/6-women-run-startups-to-watch/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=6-women-run-startups-to-watch</link>
		<comments>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/18/6-women-run-startups-to-watch/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 09:16:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria Russo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[WOMEN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful women entrepreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women entrepreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women-run startups]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Gone are the days when people fantasized about having a white...</p><p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com">Culture-ist Magazine | Artisans | Food | Green | Travel &amp; Culture - </a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/women_entrepreneur.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5919" title="Women CEO's at Women Run Startups networking event" src="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/women_entrepreneur.jpg" alt="Women CEO's at Women-Run Startups networking event" width="640" height="426" /></a></p>
<p>Gone are the days when people fantasized about having a white picket fence, 2.5 children and a job they would remain with for most of their working lives. That&#8217;s just not <a title="Infographic: Facebook Sizes Up Generation Y" href="http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/01/19/infographic-facebook-sizes-up-generation-y/">what most of us Gen Yers want</a>, or maybe it&#8217;s just that we&#8217;re wired differently from our parents and grandparents. Whatever the reason may be, it doesn&#8217;t change the fact that we are a generation of thinkers and entrepreneurs, innovators and philanthropists, techies and environmentalists &#8212; we want to change the world, with the hope that we will be happy, passionate and free of corporate America.</p>
<p>Yet regardless of our idealisms, the playing field is still not completely equal. According to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/09/investors-less-likely-to-back-women-led-ventures_n_1503515.html?ref=career--money" target="_blank">The Huffington Post</a>, &#8220;researchers at the University of Utah found that despite identical personal qualifications and firm financials, female founders and CEOs were perceived as less capable than their male counterparts. In turn, the initial public offerings for companies led by those women were considered less attractive investments.&#8221; So now instead of facing a glass ceiling women entrepreneurs are dealing with a &#8220;green ceiling&#8221; when seeking out investors.</p>
<p>In hopes of shedding some light on this issue, we thought it important share some women-run startups that are worth knowing about. We invite you to leave a comment mentioning an awesome startup run by women, so that with continued support, we can shatter any ceiling &#8212; green or glass &#8212; and work towards a common goal of growth, passion and innovation.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://revolutionapparel.is/" target="_blank">{r}evolution apparel</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Founders, Kristin Glenn and Shannon Whitehead</strong>, launched in 2011 with the <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/revolutionapparel/the-versalette-by-r-evolution-apparel" target="_blank">highest-funded fashion campaign in Kickstarter history</a>, raising over $64,000 by selling their signature piece, the Versalette. Their <a title="{r}evolution apparel: One Garment, 15 Ways, 100 Percent Recycled" href="http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/02/15/revolution-apparel-one-garment-15-ways-100-percent-recycled/">clothes are 100% American-made, 100% recycled fabric</a>, and all other materials are either domestic or certified organic.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.buydocpons.com/" target="_blank">DocPons</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Founder, Susan Nicholas</strong>, &#8220;enables allied healthcare providers to render services to the uninsured, underinsured, or those with caps on their existing coverage with this healthcare savings program.&#8221; The program also &#8220;benefits persons with catastrophic insurance policies and high deductibles by providing access to affordable primary and preventative care services.&#8221;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.salsalabs.com/" target="_blank">Salsa Labs</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Co-Founder, <strong>April Pedersen </strong></strong>started this site to help nonprofits organize &amp; energize supporters by providing online fundraising, supporter management (CRM), communications and advocacy solutions.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.allvoices.com/" target="_blank">Allvoices.com</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Founder and CEO, <strong>Amra Tareen, </strong></strong>launched the world&#8217;s premier platform for citizen journalism, Allvoices delivers a community-driven platform for open, global news and idea exchange.<strong><strong> </strong></strong>In January, 2011 the site received over 11 million unique web visitors. <strong></strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://myreceipts.com/" target="_blank">MyReceipts</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><strong>Founder, </strong>Birame Sock, </strong>created this &#8220;free service that allows consumers to receive and track receipts online, access information about products purchased and create customized reports, as well as receive special savings and coupons instantly in one safe, convenient place. It&#8217;s a green solution for consumers to receive and file receipts.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.catchafire.org/" target="_blank">Catchafire</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Founder and CEO, Rachael Chong, </strong>created a volunteer-based company that matches professionals who want to give their skills, with nonprofits and social enterprises that need help. Each collaboration is paired based on a variety of characteristics including skills, cause interests, and time availability.</p>
<div></div>
<div><em>Photo by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dellphotos/5819803328/in/photostream/" target="_blank">flickr/Dell Photos</a></em></div>

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		<title>Oral Pleasures: Best Ice Cream Shops From San Francisco to NYC</title>
		<link>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/17/oral-pleasures-best-ice-cream-shops-from-san-francisco-to-nyc/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=oral-pleasures-best-ice-cream-shops-from-san-francisco-to-nyc</link>
		<comments>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/17/oral-pleasures-best-ice-cream-shops-from-san-francisco-to-nyc/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 09:37:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria Russo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[FOOD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best ice cream in atlanta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best ice cream in houston]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best ice cream in new york]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best ice cream in san francisco]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best ice cream in washington dc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[the best ice cream]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[the best ice cream shops]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>You scream, I scream, we all scream for sinfully-good ice cream....</p><p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com">Culture-ist Magazine | Artisans | Food | Green | Travel &amp; Culture - </a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/icecream.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5897" title="the best ice cream shops - delectable" src="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/icecream.jpeg" alt="the best ice cream shops - delectable" width="640" height="425" /></a></p>
<p>You scream, I scream, we all scream for sinfully-good ice cream. It&#8217;s that time of year again when we kiss those warm decadent comfort foods of winter goodbye and say &#8220;ciao&#8221; to hazelnut <a title="The Best Gelato in New York" href="http://www.thecultureist.com/2010/08/18/the-best-gelato-in-new-york/">gelato</a> and dainty scoops of lavender mascarpone. But, for every sumptuous ice cream shop out there, there are 20 not-so-great shops that may have you wishing you spent the time finding the little gem in your neighborhood.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, we don&#8217;t have the resources (nor the stamina) to include all of the best ice cream shops and trucks in North America, but we were able to roundup a few that just may have you skipping the steamy nonfat mocha latte for a chilly salted caramel sundae.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Atlanta</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://morellisicecream.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Morelli&#8217;s Gourmet Ice Cream &amp; Desserts:</strong></a> Donald and wife Clarissa Morelli kicked the corporate lifestyle to spend their days concocting gourmet flavors like Amarena Cherry, Avocado and Sweet Corn. The menu is always changing here, so you&#8217;ll always have a new inventive flavor to try.</p>
<p><strong>Double Scoop Worthy</strong>: Salted Caramel and Ginger-lavender.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Brooklyn</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.bluemarbleicecream.com/" target="_blank">Blue Marble Ice Cream</a></strong>: Jennie Dundas and Alexis Miesen&#8217;s popular eco-conscientious shops in Cobble Hill and Prospect Heights churn out farm-fresh ice cream handmade with premium grass-fed organic dairy and organic sugar.</p>
<p><strong>Double Scoop Worthy</strong>: Strawberry</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Cambridge</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.tosci.com/" target="_blank">Toscanini&#8217;s: </a></strong> Proudly proclaiming to be &#8220;the best ice cream in the world&#8221; (as per a review from the NY Times), this sassy scoop shop certainly has gotten a lot of attention from the <a href="http://www.tosci.com/about/" target="_blank">press</a>. The selection here is endless with no short of interesting flavors like Banoffee Pie and Rose and Khulfee.</p>
<p><strong>Double Scoop Worthy</strong>: Burnt Caramel</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Houston</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://excelgroup.tripod.com/hankstemplate4.htm" target="_blank">Hank&#8217;s Ice Cream: </a> </strong>If Beyonce is a loyal customer, you can assume there maybe something to this southern-style ice cream shop. Run by members of his family, Hank&#8217;s shop is sweet, cozy and delicious.</p>
<p><strong><strong>Double Scoop Worthy</strong>: </strong>Sweet Potato Pie and Banana Pudding</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Manhattan</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://vanleeuwenicecream.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream Trucks</a>: </strong>Fresh, local, pure and simple is the Van Leeuwen motto. With 18 percent butterfat and 30 percent overrun, this ice cream is creamy and lusciously decadent.</p>
<p><strong>Double Scoop Worthy</strong>: Vanilla</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Philadelphia</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://capogirogelato.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Capogiro Gelato Artisans</strong></a>: Sourcing milk from local grass-fed cows, which graze on Amish farms, the gelato here is handmade in small batches. Flavors like Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, Saigon Cinnamon, and Thai Coconut Milk make this shop shine among the best.</p>
<p><strong>Double Scoop Worthy</strong>: Blackberry</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>San Francisco</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://biritecreamery.com/" target="_blank">Bi-Rite Creamery &amp; Bakeshop</a></strong>: Using Straus Family Creamery&#8217;s organic dairy products, owners, Annie and Kris, serve up inventive flavors that rarely contain more than five ingredients with no stabilizers or artificial ingredients.</p>
<p><strong>Double Scoop Worthy: </strong>Balsamic Strawberry and Salted Caramel</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Washington DC</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://dolcezzagelato.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Dolcezza Artisanal Gelato:</strong></a> This adorable Argentinian-inpired gelateria produces handcrafted batches of gelato made from local fruits, herbs, eggs, cheese, milk and cream. You know you&#8217;ve found  the creme de la creme when a place promises to &#8220;squeeze the citrus one by one, melt the chocolate, infuse the herbs, grind the spices and roast the nuts, all with our own hands, every step of the way.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Double Scoop Worthy: </strong>Lemon with Opal Basil</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Photo by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ulteriorepicure/231555400/" target="_blank">flickr/ulterior epicure</a></em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

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		<title>Toxic Food: Why Killing Superweeds May Eventually Kill Us</title>
		<link>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/16/toxic-food-why-killing-superweeds-may-eventually-kill-us/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=toxic-food-why-killing-superweeds-may-eventually-kill-us</link>
		<comments>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/16/toxic-food-why-killing-superweeds-may-eventually-kill-us/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 09:33:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria Russo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[FOOD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GREEN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GMO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[monsanto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[superweed]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;A fast-spreading plague of &#8220;super weeds&#8221; taking over U.S. farmland will...</p><p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com">Culture-ist Magazine | Artisans | Food | Green | Travel &amp; Culture - </a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pesticide-farm-fart-ass.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5872" title="superweeds has grown resistant to round up ready" src="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pesticide-farm-fart-ass.jpg" alt="superweeds has grown resistant to round up ready" width="640" height="428" /></a></p>
<p>&#8220;A fast-spreading plague of &#8220;super weeds&#8221; taking over U.S. farmland will not be stopped easily, and farmers and government officials need to change existing practices if food production is to be protected&#8230;&#8221; (Reuters).</p>
<p>The superweed &#8220;plague,&#8221; which has currently threatened 12 million acres of farmland, was said to be an impossible outcome to <a href="http://www.thecultureist.com/2011/10/27/monsantos-seed-how-one-company-is-tarnishing-the-worlds-food-supply/" target="_blank">Monsanto&#8217;s greater plan to genetically engineer (GE) millions of crops</a> that could withstand its glyphosate-based weed-killer Roundup &#8212; a product which was marketed as a safe and effective solution to eliminate weeds &#8212; or at least that&#8217;s what the company told famers who are now dealing with the possibility of losing much of their yields.</p>
<p>Last week, a summit of weed experts convened in Washington, D.C. to discuss the concerning issue of superweeds and, more specifically, how these herbicide-resistant plants are destroying millions of corn and soybean crops across America. Many weeds are now growing up to six feet in height, sharply diminishing crop yields and baffling farmers on how to gain back control of cultivation.</p>
<p>But the greater problem lies in the alternatives being laid out on the table. Many environmental, health, and farm groups are deeply concerned that the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-kimbrell/24-d-_b_1406473.html?utm_source=Alert-blogger&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Email%2BNotifications" target="_blank">USDA will approve an application by Dow Chemical</a> for its controversial &#8220;Enlist&#8221; GE corn variety that is resistant to the hazardous herbicides 2,4-D and the even more toxic 2,4,5-T formed Agent Orange. The implications of approval could be devastating for crop cultivation as many scientists warn that these new superweeds will continue to  become resistant to the most toxic herbicides.</p>
<p>In a recent article on <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/10/us-agriculture-weeds-idUSBRE8491JZ20120510" target="_blank">Reuters</a>, Harold Coble, an agromist and weed scientist with the USDA, called the problem of weed resistance a &#8220;game changer&#8221; and said farmers must become more versatile. &#8220;Too many have simply been relying on the chemicals for too long, he said.&#8221;</p>
<p>The use of 2,4-D, a drift-prone chemical, has also sparked serious concerns about public health and contamination of crops in surrounding areas. A study by the <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2078610" target="_blank">U.S. National Cancer Institute</a> found that farmers who were exposed to 2,4-D have a greater risk of contracting non-Hodgkin&#8217;s lymphoma. Other studies have shown that 2,4-D has been linked to <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/living/chemicalindex/2-4-d.asp" target="_blank">cell damage, hormonal disruption, reproductive problems and soft-tissue sarcoma. </a></p>
<p>The good news is that the USDA may be listening to the public&#8217;s outcry against the approval of 2,4-D, as it <a href="http://www.good.is/post/could-superweeds-mean-the-end-of-genetically-engineered-crops/" target="_blank">recently extended the public comment period</a> on Dow Chemical&#8217;s first Enlist crop up for approval, GE corn. The emergence of the superweed just may be the one factor that convinces the government to reevaluate its policies on quick-solution technologies and start thinking about long-term sustainable methods of farming.  Let&#8217;s just hope they can change things faster than Mother Nature can.</p>
<p><em> Photo by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tjmartins/3995559405/" target="_blank">flickr/tjmartinis</a></em></p>

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		<title>Travel Talk With Grant Martin, Editor in Chief of Gadling</title>
		<link>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/14/travel-talk-with-grant-martin-editor-of-gadling/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=travel-talk-with-grant-martin-editor-of-gadling</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 09:30:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>culture-ist</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[TRAVEL TALK]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel talk]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecultureist.com/?p=5801</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>As a part of the AOL enterprise, Gadling has been one...</p><p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com">Culture-ist Magazine | Artisans | Food | Green | Travel &amp; Culture - </a></p>]]></description>
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<p style="text-align: center;">
<p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_2416.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5823" title="Travel Talk with Grant Martin Editor of Gadling" src="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/img_2416-e1337008504727.jpg" alt="Travel Talk with Grant Martin Editor of Gadling" width="640" height="426" /></a></p>
<p>As a part of the AOL enterprise, <a href="http://www.gadling.com/" target="_blank">Gadling</a> has been one of the go-to travel blogs for budget and adventure travelers. Originally trained as a Materials Scientist, editor in chief, Grant Martin, likes to stir things up from his home base in Chicago where he pushes the site to stay ahead of the game and on top of the latest travel trends.</p>
<p>We caught up with the chief himself to find out about some of his best and not-so-best moments while traveling. Check out his response to &#8221; the most profound lesson learned through travel&#8221;; it&#8217;s a priceless tip.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Culture-ist Magazine: </strong>What is the best early morning experience you&#8217;ve had while traveling?</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Martin:</strong> We had a 4:00 wake up call for a morning walk through Kruger National Park in South Africa the other day. As the sun rose over the savanna we got to trek across the park on foot and sneak up on a few unsuspecting animals. It&#8217;s the closest that I&#8217;ve ever been to a wild rhinoceros, and the closest that I ever want to be, come to think of it.</p>
<div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong>Culture-ist Magazine: </strong></strong>Do you have an odd neurosis that emerges before you embark on a trip?</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Martin: </strong>Travel is therapeutic for me so I&#8217;m fairly laid back in the runup to and during travel. The only things you really need are an ID and credit card, right?</p>
<div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Culture-ist Magazine: </strong>Have you ever “mysteriously” survived a critical situation?</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Martin: </strong>By miracle I did happen to slip an extra $20 into my backpack pocket during a trip to southeast Asia one time. On the way home I misplaced my passport and had to venture back into the city to find it – only I was out of cash. Without that $20 I might still be on the streets of Kuala Lumpur today.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Culture-ist Magazine: </strong>If your life as a traveler could be described through the lyrics of a song, what song would you choose?</p>
<p><strong>Martin: </strong>That would be “New York You&#8217;re Killing Me” by Ray LaMontagne. Don&#8217;t get me wrong, I love New York City, but every time I leave there it seems like I&#8217;ve got more baggage than when I came in.</p>
<div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Culture-ist Magazine: </strong>Most profound lesson learned through travel?</p>
</div>
<p><strong>Martin: </strong>Giving people a dumb smile will diffuse almost any situation. One of my favorite things to do is learn the local slang for “visitor” or “American” when I travel and use that when I&#8217;m in an uncomfortable situation. Got on the wrong JL bullet train car and sat in the wrong seat? Gai-jin. Knock over a display at the 7-11 while trying to cook a bento box in the microwave? Gai-jin.</p>
<p>I also refuse to check bags on the road. It just ends up slowing me down.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Culture-ist Magazine: </strong>Favorite Town/Village?</p>
<p><strong>Martin: </strong>Here in the United States I&#8217;ve always been fond of the town in which I went to college, Ann Arbor. Good community, good food, good public radio, good Ultimate Frisbee league, good access to the airport. You really can&#8217;t ask for much else.</p>
<p>Overseas I might have to go with Rotorua in New Zealand. If you exclude the sulfurous smell of the bubbling springs, Rotorua has a lot to love, with varied, deep green terrain, tons of adventure activities and hidden lodges speckled throughout the countryside. Truly a larger than life experience.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Culture-ist Magazine: </strong>Favorite City? Why?</p>
<p><strong>Martin: </strong>It really is impossible to pick at this point without a dozen qualifiers. Domestically, New York for my friends and for its pace of life, New Orleans for the soul moving music and strong cultural fabric and Portland for its ability to always surprise and delight me. Overseas, Hong Kong is always a delightful mixture of the east and west, while Barcelona and Argentina are destinations to which I&#8217;ll return for the rest of my life. Something about the arid climate mixed with the European architecture really resonates with me. And you can&#8217;t beat the design and quality of Stockholm.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Culture-ist Magazine: </strong>A person you met while traveling that you still think about today?</p>
<p><strong>Martin: </strong>I carry lots of people with me every day and for different reasons, but I tend to shoulder that burden alone. At least I don&#8217;t have checked bags.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><strong>Culture-ist Magazine: </strong></strong>Biggest gripe with traveling often?</p>
<p><strong>Martin: </strong>I read a study a few years back that said that the most used word in English conversation is “time,” and I think that most of my gripes come from that idea. I&#8217;ve never got enough time off of work. I&#8217;ve never got enough time to sleep in and remain lucid during my jet lagged days. I&#8217;ve never got enough time to spend with my loved ones abroad. Some day I&#8217;ll catch up.</p>

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		<title>Why China’s One Child Policy Should be Aborted</title>
		<link>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/11/why-chinas-one-child-policy-should-be-aborted/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=why-chinas-one-child-policy-should-be-aborted</link>
		<comments>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/11/why-chinas-one-child-policy-should-be-aborted/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 09:31:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>culture-ist</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CULTURE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NEWS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[abolish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aging population]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[china's one child policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[corruption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population control]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>In 1979, China imposed a strict family planning policy that prohibited...</p><p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com">Culture-ist Magazine | Artisans | Food | Green | Travel &amp; Culture - </a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/china.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5795" title="Zhongdian, one child poster" src="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/china.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="432" /></a></p>
<p>In 1979, China imposed a strict family planning policy that prohibited urban married couples from having more than one child. It was a drastic, yet (arguably) necessary measure to slow population growth and protect social, economic and environmental conditions in China. but now it appears that this policy has become outdated, and even detrimental to the Chinese society.</p>
<p>An article in The Economic Observer (<a href="http://www.worldcrunch.com/time-abolish-chinas-one-child-policy/5251" target="_blank">via Worldcrunch</a>) states that “the fertility rate and population growth have dropped significantly. According to China’s 2010 national census, the total fertility rate has dropped to 1.22 (from around 3 in 1980). This is considerably lower than the 2.1 regeneration rate needed to stabilize the population from generation to generation.”</p>
<p>The article goes on to point out that “The longstanding one-child policy has also created a sex ratio distortion. Traditional ideas about the importance of having a son and the modern technical possibility of gender-selective abortion have created a ratio of girls to boys of 100 to 118. This disparity means that millions of young men will grow up with little chance of finding a wife.”</p>
<p>The social and economic implications of the policy are becoming clear. China’s quickly aging population will soon need the youngest generation to care for them. And with only one child per family to bare the burdens of two generations before him, the financial and emotional stress could become overwhelming, even debilitating.</p>
<p>Wealth has played a significant a role in who gets to defy China’s one child policy. The article states that “the rich can either afford to pay the penalties and fines incurred for violating the policy &#8211; or go to places like the United States or Hong Kong to have their “additional” baby. In certain rural towns, powerful rich families simply ignore the Family Planning Policy.”</p>
<p>Couples making an average salary could never afford to incur these kinds of “arrangements”, nor could they pay the fines for violating the law, which can be anywhere from three to ten times their annual salary. The same injustices occur in rural China where medium income and poor families often have their homes destroyed and their livestock taken for violating the law. In some instances, women have even been forced to have an abortion.</p>
<p>As with any government initiative that requires its own bureaucracy, corruption is to be expected. There is no question that China’s one child policy has made a lot of money – legitimately and not &#8212; for the government. The National Population and Family Planning Commission of China (NPFPC) has collected approximately $0.3 trillion since 1980 in social support payments.</p>
<p>The author of the article, Zhang Hong, sums up why he believes the policy has become just another way for the government to fill its pockets rather than protect the social, economic and environmental conditions of the country:</p>
<p>“Unfortunately, a big chunk of this money has flowed into the pockets of local family planning officials. Because of “economic incentives”, some officials in fact deliberately allowed some women to have more than one child in order to boost their income. In short, this ridiculous policy has turned into a large bureaucratic system rife with corruption and abuse of power. What’s the benefit to society?”</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Photo by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/azwegers/6169806541/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Arian Zwegers/Flickr </a></em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

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		<title>Eat. Learn. Move. A Journey Around the World (Video)</title>
		<link>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/10/eat-learn-move-a-journey-around-the-world-video/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=eat-learn-move-a-journey-around-the-world-video</link>
		<comments>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/10/eat-learn-move-a-journey-around-the-world-video/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 09:35:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria Russo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[VIDEOS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel video]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecultureist.com/?p=5771</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>This video series, directed and produced by Rick Mereki, Andrew White...</p><p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com">Culture-ist Magazine | Artisans | Food | Green | Travel &amp; Culture - </a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/eat-travel-move.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5778" title="eat learn move - travel" src="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/eat-travel-move.jpg" alt="eat learn move - travel" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This video series, directed and produced by Rick Mereki, Andrew White and Tim Lees, and commissioned by STA Travel,  brilliantly displays the sights, sounds, and tastes of the world.  The titles of each video succinctly describe why we travel: To <a title="Feature: A Truly Thai Experience: Memoirs of a Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai" href="http://www.thecultureist.com/2010/07/25/a-truly-thai-experiencememoirs-of-a-thai-cooking-class-in-chiang-mai/">taste the local food</a> of a place, <a title="5 Ways to Get Cultured in 2012" href="http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/01/04/5-ways-to-get-cultured-in-2012/">experience and appreciate a culture</a>, and to discover something new. Filmed over 44 days, the trio visited 11 countries, took 18 flights, and traveled a total of 38,000 miles.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27243869" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27244727" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27246366" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em>Photo by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/benbeiske/5052587151/" target="_blank">flickr/Ben Beiske</a></em></p>

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		<title>Two Exciting Announcements From Our Friends at AFAR and Fathom</title>
		<link>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/09/two-exciting-announcements-from-our-friends-at-afar-and-fathom/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=two-exciting-announcements-from-our-friends-at-afar-and-fathom</link>
		<comments>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/09/two-exciting-announcements-from-our-friends-at-afar-and-fathom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 10:25:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria Russo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[TIPS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[afar and south africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[afar experiences south africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[afar magazine travel news]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[fathom travel guides]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fathom travel news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kate spade travel guides]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Two of our favorite authorities on travel, AFAR and Fathom, recently...</p><p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com">Culture-ist Magazine | Artisans | Food | Green | Travel &amp; Culture - </a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-08-at-9.10.48-PM2.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5744" title="AFAR and FATHOM - Travel News" src="http://thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-08-at-9.10.48-PM2.png" alt="AFAR and FATHOM - Travel News" width="631" height="418" /></a></p>
<h3><strong>Two of our favorite authorities on travel, AFAR and Fathom, recently released some exciting news…</strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><a href="http://thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-08-at-9.10.48-PM1.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5742" title="AFAR Magazine - Travel News" src="http://thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-08-at-9.10.48-PM1.png" alt="AFAR Magazine - Travel News" width="633" height="418" /></a></h3>
<h3>AFAR Announces Johannesburg, South Africa As Its 2012 AFAR Experiences Destination</h3>
<h5>AFAR Partners with South African Tourism and Emirates Airline to Create Four Unforgettable Days of Experiential Travel: October 8-11, 2012</h5>
<p>San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) May 01, 2012</p>
<p>AFAR Media is thrilled to announce Johannesburg, South Africa as the host destination for 2012’s <a href="http://www.afarexperiences.com/">AFAR Experience</a> . “AFAR Experiences: South Africa is designed to bring the mission of AFAR and its devotion to experiential travel to life,” says AFAR CEO and Co-Founder, Greg Sullivan. “There is no better way to connect you with the authentic essence of South Africa, deepening your understanding of the country, its cultures, and yourself than to participate in the four day experience,” adds Sullivan.</p>
<p>AFAR Co-founders Greg Sullivan and Joe Diaz created AFAR Experiences in 2011 after an impromptu journey to Cairo, Egypt three days after former Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, stepped down from power. “We wanted to feel what the country was experiencing and were eager to find ways to support and promote travel to the country,” says co-founder, Joe Diaz. From that journey, AFAR Experiences was born. “We had the opportunity to meet so many engaging and interesting locals. We wanted to create an opportunity for our influential, global citizen audience to connect, immerse and explore the richness of the world, its people, and cultures,” Diaz continues.</p>
<p>“We’re very passionate about the transformative power of travel,” says Sullivan. “We believe that in South Africa we’ve found a country with not only an incredible heart and an amazing history, but also with some of the warmest people you’ll ever meet. Anyone can go to Johannesburg. But by joining the AFAR team on this trip, these travelers will see this amazing place through new eyes – meeting, talking, walking and breaking bread with people they would not otherwise have had access to. They’ll come back changed.”</p>
<p>AFAR Media is extremely grateful for the support and vision of <a href="http://www.southafrica.net/">South African Tourism</a> and <a href="http://www.emirates.com/">Emirates Airline</a> to help make AFAR Experiences: South Africa a memorable experience. “Both these brands are talking to curious, global travelers seeking authentic, immersive experiences and we’re delighted to have them on board,” concludes Ellen Asmodeo, AFAR’s EVP and Publisher.</p>
<p>AFAR will be accepting applications for up to 75 curious cultural explorers to experience the “City of Gold” in a unique way, soaking up the essence of South Africa through the eyes of its locals. Once accepted, attendees will pay a fee of $3950 to attend the event in addition to airfare and lodging.</p>
<p>More information and registration can be found at <a href="http://www.afarexperiences.com/">http://www.afarexperiences.com</a>. Itinerary details will be released over the coming weeks.</p>
<p>ABOUT AFAR MEDIA<br />
AFAR is the multi-platform travel brand that inspires and guides those who travel the world to connect with its people, experience their cultures, and understand their perspectives. Headquartered in San Francisco, with an office in New York City, the company launched in 2009. Its platforms include the award-winning AFAR magazine, AFAR.com, the AFAR mobile App, the non profit foundation Learning AFAR; and immersive travel series AFAR Experiences.</p>
<p>Contact: Shelley Kieran, shelley(at)afar.com, 650.380.2552</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Fathom:</strong></h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-08-at-2.26.47-PM.png"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-5731" title="FATHOM and Kate Spade - Travel News" src="http://thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Screen-Shot-2012-05-08-at-2.26.47-PM-1024x591.png" alt="FATHOM and Kate Spade - Travel News" width="558" height="321" /></a></p>
<p>“We&#8217;re excited to introduce <strong>Fathom for kate spade new york City Guides</strong>, a charming mix of offbeat recommendations, playful experiences, visual packing ideas, practical trip-planning advice, and fresh design.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s for those who tour the world spontaneously and deliberately, who seek out the new while appreciating the iconic, and who want to look good while doing it.</p>
<p>The mini Fathom universe lives on katespade.com and explores select kate spade new york markets: New York City, London, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Tahiti. New global destinations will be added seasonally, so be sure to check back before you plan your next trip.&#8221;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

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		<title>From Poop to Paper: Michael Flancman Gives Us the Scoop</title>
		<link>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/08/poo-poo-paper-michael-flancman-gives-the-scoop/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=poo-poo-paper-michael-flancman-gives-the-scoop</link>
		<comments>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/08/poo-poo-paper-michael-flancman-gives-the-scoop/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 09:44:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria Russo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[GREEN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SMALL BIZ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eco friendly paper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[elephant poo poo paper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interview poo poo paper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michael flancman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paper made from crap]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paper made from poo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[poo poo paper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[poo-litical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[poopoopaper]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Michael and Tun Flancman&#8217;s line of innovative paper products are just...</p><p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com">Culture-ist Magazine | Artisans | Food | Green | Travel &amp; Culture - </a></p>]]></description>
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<p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/poopoopaper1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5700" title="poopoopaper1" src="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/poopoopaper1.jpg" alt="Poo Poo Paper - Poo-licital Comedy" width="640" height="420" /></a></p>
<p>Michael and Tun Flancman&#8217;s line of innovative paper products are just loaded with &#8220;natural&#8221; and &#8220;eco-friendly&#8221; fibers. The two started POOPOOPAPER, an environmentally friendly company that creates a variety of items &#8212; from sassy stationary to adorable animal print journals &#8212; using the <a title="Waste-to-Energy Programs: Turning Crappy Methods into Sustainable Projects" href="http://www.thecultureist.com/2011/10/19/waste-to-energy-programs-turning-crappy-methods-into-sustainable-projects/">dung of cows</a>, elephants, pandas, horses, donkeys and moose.</p>
<p>In the early 2000s, the idea for their company was born in Tun&#8217;s native homeland of Thailand. While the couple was living there, Michael (who hails from Toronto) learned of a technique local villagers used to make paper from elephant dung. Intrigued by this unusual method, Flancman began working on a business plan that would allow him to use the technique to create paper products that could eventually be sold in North America.</p>
<p>After facing piles of obstacles, Flancman was able to get his business off the ground in 2005 when he started the Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Co., which produced and sold products like journals, note boxes and stationary &#8212; all made from dung sourced from elephants in Chiang Mai. Having launched at a time when &#8220;eco-friendly&#8221; was becoming more and more appealing to retailers in North America, Flancman&#8217;s company plopped into a market that was craving paper products made from materials other than trees.</p>
<p>Today the company is known as POOPOOPAPER, and although its name has changed, the same simple and sustainable methods Flancman originally envisioned for his company are applied by the artisans who create the <a href="http://store.poopoopaper.com/" target="_blank">eco-friendly products</a> at his factories in Chiang Mai.</p>
<p>We caught up with Flancman to find out more about POOPOOPAPER, and to ask the more pressing question of whether or not his products stink (seriously, we want to know if the stuff smells like poo). Here&#8217;s what he had to say&#8230;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Culture-ist:</strong> When did you come up with the vision for POOPOOPAPER?</p>
<p><strong>Flancman:</strong> In 2003, during the course of my sourcing of all kinds of unique and handmade crafts in Asia,  I met one particular artisan that was experimenting with alternative fibers pulp for paper making. Specifically, that alternative fiber was the locally abundant dung, or poop, from elephants.  While the concept product was crude and needed some work, I was struck by the idea and the potential underlying message of such a product.  I worked to perfect the pulp mixture and the resulting papers, develop a line of finished products and expand the concept to include all sorts of of poop from other fiber eating / vegetarian animals such as cows, horses, donkeys, buffalo etc. plus other agricultural waste fibers from crops such as corn husk and banana trunk.</p>
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<p><strong>Culture-ist:</strong> Where else have you traveled? Have you come across any other &#8220;odd&#8221; traditional practices used for craftmaking?</p>
<p><strong>Flancman:</strong> I’ve been to many different developing countries (India, Vietnam, China, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Mexico) and seen lots of handicrafts being made from a multitude of materials using many processes; however I must admit that the POOPOOPAPER production process, while not ‘odd’ in an academic sense, is definitely an attention grabber and slightly peculiar to many people.  Whether you like our products, or not, POOPOOPAPER is difficult to forget about.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p><strong>Culture-ist: </strong>Top 5 things you want to put the word Poo in front of and sell.</p>
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<div>
<p><strong>Flancman:</strong> We make paper so the trick really is to be continually creative in our designs so our target consumers buy and use our paper and are ultimately touched by the message that POOPOOPAPER conveys.   More often than not this creativity results in a new collection or product line or theme.  For example, our POO-LITICAL POOPOOPAPER (which starts with “poo”) is a collection of notepads timed to hit the market this election year.  The notepads are made from either recycled donkey or elephant poop and have fantastic artwork that espouses eco-friendliness and at the same time jabs at both of the political parties by the very nature of what material we’ve used to make this collection.  Of course, if you don&#8217;t know that the GOP uses an elephant as its logo, and the Dems have a donkey as its logo, the purpose and appeal may be lost.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Culture-ist: </strong>How often do people ask if the products smell?</p>
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<p><strong>Flancman: </strong>All the time.  This is probably the most popular question we’re asked by new people we meet followed closely by “have you washed your hands?” usually asked to our sales staff at a trade show when shaking hands!</p>
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<p><strong>Culture-ist: </strong>Do you attribute the poo shock value to your success?</p>
<p><strong>Flancman:</strong> Definitely, the shock value is a big part of it.  That’s definitely a conversation starter and important backbone of the marketing behind POOPOOPAPER!  This definitely triggers people to stop, find out more info and look (or smell) and prompts many to then learn about the other merits of our products…such as:</p>
</div>
<ol>
<li>POOPOOPAPER products are handmade and natural</li>
<li>POOPOOPAPER has an underlying message of <a href="http://new.poopoopaper.com/index.php/about-us/our-commitment-to-planet-and-people" target="_blank">sustainability</a> that hopefully inspires</li>
<li>The eco-friendliness of the POOPOOPAPER <a href="http://new.poopoopaper.com/index.php/about-us/the-process-from-poop-to-paper" target="_blank">production process</a> compared with typical wood-based pulp papers</li>
<li>How sales of POOPOOPAPER products <a href="http://new.poopoopaper.com/index.php/component/content/article/22-giving-back/43-conservation-commerce" target="_blank">support several projects</a> focused on preserving our natural environment</li>
<li>How we provide employment to local artisans and help to preserve the local cottage/village-based craft industry and other minorities in the northern part of Thailand where we operate.</li>
</ol>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p><strong>Culture-ist: </strong>What has been the most important lesson you have learned during your first few years as an entrepreneur?</p>
<p><strong>Flancman:</strong> Always have a sense of urgency…if you have an idea or a plan and you decide to go ahead with it …don’t drag your feet….jump on it …get it executed so you can find out if it succeeds or fails so you can go on to the next step where you’ll no doubt be met with your next challenge and decision.  Easier said than done of course.</p>
<p>Also, you need to remain positive and optimistic through the inevitable setbacks/hurdles and keep pushing forward (assuming of course that your basic idea is plausible).  If you like analogies, I have one:  Business is like a field full of turds that you need to walk through….lots of obstacles, challenges and even doubts at times.  Some big. Some small.  Some you expect and some you don’t.  So, when you step on one of those turds (and you surely will), you need to pick yourself up, wipe yourself off, learn from it and press on.  Resilience to pick yourself up and adapt, fortitude to press on despite naysayers or perhaps even your own apprehensions, tenacity, a sense of humor and of enjoyment of the very process itself are all essential.</p>
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<p><strong>Culture-ist: </strong>What&#8217;s your personal favorite POOPOOPAPER product?</p>
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<p><strong>Flancman:</strong> Tough call.  Right now my favorite is the <a href="http://store.poopoopaper.com/index.php?route=product/category&amp;path=35_53" target="_blank">POO-LITICAL POOPOOPAPER</a>.  We have a small red, white and blue scratch pad that’s available in either Elephant POOPOOPAPER or Donkey POOPOOPAPER and the artwork says “I’m Behind Our Nation’s Freshest New Movement”!  I think these products are pretty clever, hilarious, novel and serious all at the same time.  Unfortunately, given the political partisanship prevailing right now these items are really timeless…which is good for business I suppose <img src='http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
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		<title>In Playas del Coco, Luscious Cuisine with Local Flare has Found a Home</title>
		<link>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/07/best-restaurants-in-costa-rica-playas-del-coco-luscious-cuisine-with-local-flare/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=best-restaurants-in-costa-rica-playas-del-coco-luscious-cuisine-with-local-flare</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2012 09:07:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>culture-ist</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[CENTRAL AMERICA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TRAVEL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best restaurants in costa rica]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[citron restaurant costa rica]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[local restaurants costa rica]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[playas del coco best restaurant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[playas del coco restaurants]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>&#160; By Michael Cavanagh An explosion of heat and light emanated through...</p><p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com">Culture-ist Magazine | Artisans | Food | Green | Travel &amp; Culture - </a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Citron-Carpaccio.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5638" title="Citron Carpaccio" src="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Citron-Carpaccio.jpg" alt="Citron's Carpaccio dish a specialty at one of the best restaurants in costa rica" width="640" height="425" /></a></p>
<p><strong>By <strong>Michael Cavanagh</strong></strong></p>
<p>An explosion of heat and light emanated through the kitchen window, crackling through the dense night air and delivering wafts of salient aromas. The chefs were in overdrive as the restaurant was abuzz with a flurry of activity on the late April night. It was a welcomed sight for the crew as the high season in the Costa Rican beach town had come to an end two weeks prior, resulting in predictably sparse crowds. Yet, that night it felt as if the town was awash with tourists as colorful watermelon martinis, luscious wines, and an array of carefully crafted dishes found their way to eager guests. And even though the population in <a href="http://www.govisitcostarica.com/region/city.asp?cID=18">Playas del Coco</a> may have been diminished, Citron Restaurant seemed to attract those remaining in the seaside town.</p>
<p>In the Northwest province of Guanacaste, Playas del Coco is situated on the picturesque Golfo de Papagayo. The dry tropical forest of the area is home to hundreds of exotic birds, rambunctious howler monkeys, and yearlong pleasant weather. The warm waters of the Pacific Ocean are a fisherman’s delight with the occasional migratory humpback whale providing moments of diminutive realization. The Gulf provides the locals with plenty of seafood options while the nearby ranches and farms of the interior of the country offer beef, pork, and chicken. The nutrient-rich volcanic soils of Costa Rica also enable bountiful produce. Yet, despite the variety, not too many restaurants in Coco have taken chances with innovative recipes or methods of presentation. The typical beach fare of pizza and burgers are readily available with Mexican and BBQ options interspersed. Some venues have taken advantage of the fresh, local ingredients but few have attempted the refinement on display at Citron.</p>
<p>The Latin American fusion restaurant is the one spot in town that has elevated the dining choices above run-of-the-mill options. With menu items such as the Run Sautéed Shrimp Salad, Tenderloin and Portobello Risotto, and Sea Bass Fideau, Citron is giving food lovers in Coco a chance to celebrate rather than merely eat. The menu is littered with adjectives and culinary terms that provide insight into the kitchen’s finesse such as reduction, puree, infused, and soufflé. On that particular night, my wife and I relished in a shared three-course meal consisting of salad with caramelized walnuts and goat cheese (a rarity in Coco), spice crusted caramelized pork with an inviting honey/lime sauce, succulent beef tenderloin in a red wine and Dijon reduction, and finally a decadent chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream served on the side. With each course, we selected a different glass from the wine list, which proved to be another pleasant surprise. Even though it didn’t contain an abundance of options, the wines offered can only be found in local 5-star resorts and was a welcomed change to standard Chilean and Argentinean choices. As the night waned, our hunger satiated and thirst quenched, patrons slowly making their exit and the frenzied activity winding down, we reveled in the satisfaction of the meal. As we contently sat and sipped on the last remnants from our wine glasses, curiosity steadily built in our minds. In a popular, growing beach town, with no lack of accessible local, fresh ingredients, why was this place the only one aspiring to elevate dinner options? Luckily for us, the two people who hoped to change that were willing to tell us.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Citron-Dining.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5635" title="Citron Dining" src="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Citron-Dining-300x199.jpg" alt="Citron's beautiful dining room where local specialties are served. It's considered one of the best restaurants Costa Rica has to offer" width="300" height="199" /></a>Citron was barely a thought when Claudia Posner and Xavier Urbina, a married couple that met in Claudia’s native country of Venezuela, first leased the property on the main strip of Coco, a few hundred yards from the beach. Claudia’s original idea focused on catering to boat owners, personal as well as commercial, by offering gourmet frozen foods to be prepared at sea. Through conversations with friends and colleagues, she learned of the demand for quality nautical meals other than cold sandwiches and chips. Yet, the space wasn’t exactly conducive to that particular business. So, innovation led to the establishment of the restaurant. But how did the two, without one iota of restaurant ownership experience between them, manage to pull it off?</p>
<p>As the old adage goes, it’s not <em>what</em> you know but <em>who</em> you know. And having a brother that graduated from the Culinary Institute of America certainly aided in their endeavor. Claudia’s brother, David, used his education to develop his kitchen skills in restaurants in New York City, Barcelona, and his hometown of Caracas. In fact, he was the culinary force behind the establishment of four different eateries in the Venezuelan capital. Not surprisingly, Claudia and Xavier would frequent David’s establishments, picking favorite dishes at each place along the way. And as they stood in their newly leased storefront in Coco thinking of alternatives for the space, the collection of dishes suddenly came rushing back to the forefront of their minds and Citron was borne.</p>
<p>Of course, simply having an idea does not create a successful business. Claudia and Xavier still had to contend with aspects such as ambiance, business, and the menu. Luckily, they could draw from personal and familial expertise to launch their entrepreneurship. Claudia relied on her interior decorating talents to design the look of Citron, including the bamboo-like “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gynerium_sagittatum">cana brava</a>” roof, which had to be painstakingly nailed to the existing structure one piece at a time. Xavier, with an MBA from Santa Clara University, handled the accounting and numbers while David not only supplied the menu but also the cooks, who came fully equipped with the skills to execute the menu. With a seamless transition in the kitchen, Citron was well prepared to bring Coco a different international dining experience. A year and half later, the restaurant is thriving, offering locals and tourists a different option to the typical beach fare. And while it may not have the scenic views of the Gulf of Papagayo, it certainly creates lasting memories through its cuisine.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>About Michael Cavanagh</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>Michael Cavanagh is a freelance writer in search of memorable locales, delectable cuisine, and delicious drink. An experienced world traveler, Michael views globetrotting as an adventure like no other. He hopes to share his discoveries with other oenophiles, foodies, nomads, and travel enthusiasts. Michael has been published in The Wine Enthusiast, PalatePress, Destinations Travel Magazine, Terroirist, and has a regular column at <a href="http://www.examiner.com/wine-travel-in-baltimore/michael-cavanagh" target="_blank">Examiner</a>.</p></blockquote>
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		<title>Children of Apartheid (Photo)</title>
		<link>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/04/children-of-apartheid/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=children-of-apartheid</link>
		<comments>http://www.thecultureist.com/2012/05/04/children-of-apartheid/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 09:59:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>culture-ist</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[PHOTOGRAPHY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children of Apartheid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[children of south africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[south africa apartheid]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>&#160; Children of apartheid-  This photo, taken in 1982, was shot in...</p><p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com">Culture-ist Magazine | Artisans | Food | Green | Travel &amp; Culture - </a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/apartheid.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5626" title="Apartheid in South Africa" src="http://www.thecultureist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/apartheid.jpeg" alt="Apartheid in South Africa" width="640" height="430" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Children of apartheid</strong>-  This photo, taken in 1982, was shot in Ekuvukene, a &#8221;resettlement&#8221; village in KwaZulu-Natal.  During apartheid,  millions of black South Africans were forcibly moved to such villages called black &#8220;homelands&#8221;. The resettlements became the largest force movement of people in peacetime history.</p>
<p><em>Photo by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/3311473293/" target="_blank">flickr/United Nations Photo</a></em></p>

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