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( Blog by Sherry Berger)

Today I was thinking back to my volunteer time in Dharamsala. Even though we were all very busy, we’d make time each day to sit and have a very delicious cup (or 2 or 3!) of the Indian spicy tea, “Chai Masala”. The ingredients were ground from scratch each time, making it incredibly rich in aroma and flavor. Whether alone or among friends, the simplicity of making and enjoying a good cup of tea continues to be one of my favorite leisures in life.

Below is “Pinky’s” recipe for a good chai masala…no a GREAT chai masala (from the Curries For A Cause recipe collection, Recipe For Success Fundraiser 2007). I wanted to share it because we all know that any good food or drink is as equally as inspiring as a good piece of art. Your first inclination may be to tuck it away for when you have some time, but keep in mind that taking breaks is not only beneficial mentally and physically, it actually increases productivity, and helps you live a more relaxed and healthy life. So, there’s no better time to stop, slow down, and treat yourself to a little gift called the present moment.

“Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good plays, good company, good conversation – what are they? They are the happiest people in the world.” ~ William Lyon Phelps

Read More: The Health Benefits of Leisure

Pinky’s Chai Masala

Pinky, 24 is a graduate of Government Degree College, Dharamsala. Her hobbies and interests vary widely from modeling to teaching young children in school. Pinky is also a certified ayurvedic massage therapist as well as a chef at Anathu Ashram in Upper Dari. Her next venture is to return to school to receive her Bachelors in Education and teach senior secondary students. Pinky makes possibly the best chai in Dharamsala, but don’t tell the chai shops that are scattered along the side of the roads in Dharamsala. Perhaps the magic touch is inherited—her father has been running his own chai shop for 11 years!  ~ Pinky’s Story, 2007

Chai Masala

Serves 4

• 3 cloves
• 3 cardamoms
• 2 inch stick cinnamon
• 3 black peppercorn kernels
• 1 inch piece of fresh ginger
• 3 cups water
• 4 tsp sugar
• 1 ½ tsp dry loose tea
• 1 cup milk

Grind all dry ingredients except tea and set aside. Grind ginger and set aside. Bring water to boil in pot. Add all ingredients except milk. Let boil 3 minutes. Add milk and return to boil. Remove from heat and serve.

Good For Your Health!

Due to presence of the spices in it, chai masala has numerous health benefits.

• Drinking tea which consists of chai masala is useful in colds and reduces cough in those people who are prone to common cold.
• Improves energy, vitality, and circulation , hence this beverage is generally consumed in the mornings.
• Rejuvenates the system and aids in digestion.
• Cardamom, present in chai masala; improves digestion and stimulates metabolism.
• Cinnamon is found to have antibacterial and anti fungal infections. It is also proven to reduce blood sugar levels considerably.
• Black Pepper improves digestion and promotes intestinal growth. It helps to decrease blood cholesterol and triglycerides, boost immunity, and reduce the risk of stomach ulcers.
• Ginger has been used extensively for its health benefits since ages. It relaxes muscles and improves circulation of blood. It reduces inflammation , flatulence and helps in thinning of blood.

Chai Masala photo and health benefits courtesy of Tarladalal

Read More: How T o Create Your Own Tea Ritual

“Put down the mouse. No one will get hurt.” ~ Cubicle Curtis

(Blog by T.J. Prough)

There was a time when art defined an empire. Governments and kingdoms poured money into the best of our world’s creators to ensure intellectual and financial dominance. But as time slowly marched into the present day, so did the humankind’s view of using art to inspire, awe or just plainbelittle it’s fellow man. Art became independent of subsidy and slavery, although there is still a fight as to the future of, say, The National Endowment for the Arts. In reality, artists themselves have found a better audience for it’s creations, and further still, a better recipient for the time and monies that come from the showing or sale of their works: to those who have not had the opportunity to express their story, or to those who need the world’s eye turned toward their situation. Today, artists are using their many talents to make the world a better place; not only from sharing their beautiful creations, but from the focus upon which they choose to tell their stories to the world. There are many more organizations, independents and government-sponsored endeavors that enlist the artist to open humankind’s eyes to what is really happening around the world. And many times, it is by accident that artists become involved in campaigns for humanity. Whether it is for a local need or a global eyeopening, art makers have changed the game as to what is considered a cultural contribution to the world.

This small story isn’t about an artist, but rather a traveler who dreamed of going to Africa. Claudia Prather wanted to see zebras, lions and giraffes. And according to the story, these wonderful creatures walked through her and her friend’s campsite on occasion. More amazing is what caught her fascination while touring the grounds of the Tloma Lodge where she was staying – her accidental discovery of an outdoor art center run by the local park ranger named Malicky. He set up the center for the “poorest of the poor” Tanzanian children from the area. He founded the art center in 2007 to give the children an “opportunity to do something positive with their lives” and to keep them out of gangs. He and his fellow teachers rented a building for $50 a month to store their own artwork and the children’s finished works from the classes. The children’s work is primarily black and white due to the expensive costs of colored pencils and markers.

So Claudia was compelled to help. The current goal is to build an actual school for the children to continue their art education. She returned home to Frederick, MD with 40 pieces of art by Malicky and his partners as well as several pieces created by the children to be shown and sold to fund the new school. All proceeds from the sale of the children’s art will be equally divided among the children.

Prather is only getting started. Through friends and family, she has raised close to $1000 on her own to send to Malicky toward the building of the school. She and her daughter also sell the artwork through cafépress (www.cafepress.com/tlomaart). So take a look, and if you want to do something special for these talented Tanzanian children, buy one of their shirts and spread the word that anyone can help build a school to nurture talent and instill positivity in a place that offers little more than poverty or gang life.

In closing – I believe that sometimes when we stumble upon something by accident, we can not only make our own world a better place, but the microcosms of people who are in need of a bigger megaphone to tell their story. Claudia Prather stumbled upon this wonderful opportunity to contribute to these children’s lives. And I am happy to have stumbled upon this article. Who needs empires.

This story was first reported by The Frederick News Post website. http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display_ent.htm?StoryID=89685

(Blog by e Bond)

Inspiration. So much possibility crammed into four syllables. It is far-reaching, can be found anywhere and usually arises when you least expect it. I love being inspired. I love discussing it, musing over it, saving it for a rainy day. I am a person who craves an abundance of stimulation in order to produce thoughts so searching for inspiration is a daily routine. I also used to work at a place that prided itself on both the use and distribution of this commodity so much so I became quite good at researching, organizing and disseminating inspiration. I use it to change the way I am seeing, to give new context to old issues, or maybe even to just be moved by sheer beauty.

But being inspired is just one side of the coin isn’t it? When I went to see how the experts defined inspiration, one dictionary wrote:  1, stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, etc., to special or unusual activity or creativity, 2, to affect or touch; 3, to stimulate to action; motivate; 4, to draw in (air) by inhaling.

This idea of inspiration being a two-part endeavor is what I am most interested in. The act of being so moved or taken in by another —inhale—that you cannot help but act out in creation yourself— exhale. Inspiration is the catalyst that affects action, and action affects change. Being moved to action is just a lovely thought.

In this space each week I will do my best to share ideas that will hopefully get us moving. I will offer up weekly doses of inspiration in a variety of formats from a myriad of people so you can discuss it, muse over it, and also save it for a rainy day. (Feel free to send me ideas too, share the love!) I will try to let you know what is moving me at the moment (right now I guess the short list would be Amos Lee, Sheila Hicks at the ICA and John Berger . I will also try to introduce and unearth new places where the inspiration we discuss can be turned into action. After all, this is what we are all about here at the no (name) art group, right?

For this inaugural post, I will share this one thing, TED. TED is where I constantly go for my daily dose of inspiration. And honestly TED alone as an organization is enough inspiration for a lifetime of learning. In short, TED is an organization devoted to ideas worth spreading. It consists of conferences, talks, local events like the first ever TEDxphilly last October, prizes, fellows etc. all with the intent of getting people to share their ideas — ideas that hopefully, will change the world.

Each week I get an email that informs me about recent TED talks, discussing new ideas or a new way of thinking about an old idea and all in 20 minutes or less. These talks come from scientists, linguists, sculptors, composers, environmentalists, anthropologists, economists, artists and musicians. Every time I visit TED and click I am forever changed. There are some videos I go back to time and time again when I need a jolt of confidence, or reassurance, or to understand a small piece of myself I have forgotten and need a little help being reminded. Somehow knowing that all those people are out there in the world thinking and creating and pushing ideas to new levels makes me feel safer, proud, empowered.

People are trying. Everyday. I am lucky TED reminds me of that, lucky it gives people a place to share their ideas and for those ideas to be passed along.

So I will leave you with a few of the talks I go to when I need to be moved forward, broken free from a rut or even to be forced to sit still. I hope you will explore the TED archives in your own time and find the messages that speak to you. And if you do find a few, pass them on. Inspiration usually works best when shared.

see you next week, e

e’s go-to list (start clicking away):

…to remember the impact of good, honest storytelling: chimamanda adichie

…to remember play is not a frivolous act and could possibly change the world: jane mcgonigal

… to get “serious” about creating: paula scher

… to remember it is perfectly alright to be wrong: ken robinson

… to be reassured the world already has everything it needs: janine benyus

& when all else fails, a reminder to keep showing up to do the work, the rest will work itself out: elizabeth gilbert