Nataprawira Family

Ramadan Recipes "Pecan Pancakes"

2009-08-24T23:47:00.000-07:00

Sweet Potato / Pecan Pancakes

Prep: 15 min, Cook: 5 min.

1 cup cooked sweet potatoes, peeled, and roughly mashed
½ cup of pecans gently broken
2 eggs
1/3 cup of whole wheat flour
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup milk, plus extra
1 cup sour cream (or if overseas mix lebnah with equal part of yogurt)

Combine sweet potatoes and eggs in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside. Sift flour and baking powder together in another bowl. Stir into sweet potato mixture. Stir in melted butter and milk, adding more milk if necessary to create a thick, lumpy sauce which will coat the back of a wooden spoon. Heat a heavy nonstick skillet or griddle over medium high heat to 375°F. When hot, lightly brush surface with oil. Add about 1/4 cup batter per pancake to skillet and cook 2-3 minutes or until small holes appear in batter and bottom is browned. Turn cakes and cook about 1 minute or until browned. Repeat process until all pancakes are cooked. Serve immediately or keep warm in 200°F oven until ready to serve. Serve with sour cream.

This recipe serves 6 people. Due to the nature of this recipe, it adjusts the number of servings in multiples of 6 only.

Stewed Apples / for flavoring add what you desire:

1 cup fuji apples, cut into bite sized slices (I prefer unpeeled but you may peeled)
1 cup of dates pitted and cut to your preferred size but this could be nuts for the protein

for flavoring add what you desire: maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, or powdered cardaomon
Combine apples in a pot. Mix thoroughly and add water and maple syrup if desired or honey. Cook gently, for health reasons I only cook them until just soft as I don’t like killing them and making them apple saucy too much. If I can get away with it I will not add maple syrup at all and let my children get use to eating them w/their natural flavor but many a “muslimah” cannot handle that!! Hehe so for flavoring add what you desire and play around with it.

I combine the pancake above and put the stewed apples on top and then a dollop of the yogurt/lebna mixture (sour cream hard to find here in the Middle East)

Old-Fashioned Spaghetti & Meatballs

Old-Fashioned Spaghetti & Meatballs

2009-06-08T22:11:00.000-07:00

Old-Fashioned Spaghetti & Meatballs

family's favorite recipes

To stretch the ground beef, we use high-fiber bulgur and whole-wheat breadcrumbs in the meatballs, which are baked rather than fried.
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Ready in: 1 1/4 hours
Yield: 6 servings
Ease of Prep: Moderate

Recipe Ingredients
1/3 cup bulgur
1/2 cup hot water
4 ounces lean ground beef
4 ounces hot Italian sausage
1 medium onion , very finely chopped
2 large egg whites , lightly beaten
3 cloves garlic , very finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs , preferably whole-wheat (see Tip)
4 cups prepared marinara sauce
1/2 cup slivered fresh basil leaves or chopped fresh parsley
1 pound whole-wheat spaghetti or linguine
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (1 ounce)

Recipe Directions

1. To prepare meatballs: Combine bulgur and water in a small bowl. Let stand until the bulgur is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a rack with cooking spray and place it over a baking sheet lined with foil.
3. Combine ground beef, sausage, onion, egg whites, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs and the soaked bulgur in a large bowl; mix well. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 24). Place the meatballs on the rack and bake for 25 minutes. Blot well with paper towel.
4. To prepare sauce & spaghetti: Put a large pot of lightly salted water on to boil. Bring sauce to a simmer in a Dutch oven. Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Stir in basil (or parsley).
5. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti (or linguine) until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a serving bowl. Top with the sauce and meatballs and serve with grated cheese.

Tip: To make fresh breadcrumbs: Trim crusts from firm sandwich bread. Tear the bread into pieces and process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. One slice makes about 1/3 cup.

Health Advantages: high fiber, low sat fat, high calcium, heart healthy.
Nutrition Information
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Amount Per serving
Calories: 496 cal Carbohydrate Servings: 4 1/2
Carbohydrates: 86 g Dietary Fiber: 18 g Cholesterol: 28 mg
Fat: 8 g Sodium: 568 mg Saturated Fat: 3 g
Protein: 27 g Potassium: 405 mg Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g
Nutrition Bonus: Fiber (72% daily value), Vitamin C (35% dv), Iron (30% dv), Calcium (25% dv), Vitamin A (25% dv).

Fresh Grilled Lime Tuna Steak Recipe

Nataprawira family in Bali December 2008

2009-01-09T08:15:00.000-08:00

Sunset Beach in Bali Kuta

Kecak Dance

Hadrian Nataprawira in Payangan Bali

Vino bathing at Villa Awan Biru

Dedi and Hadi Nataprawira Family in Bali

Christmas 2008 in Ubud Bali

Birthday Halvino Nataprawira 5 year in Bali

At Awan Biru Villa

Hadi and Halvino Nataprawira

Kiki and Hadi Nataprawira

Dedi and Hadi Nataprawira Family

Halvino Birthday 5 Year in Bali

Located on Lake Batur

Watch Kecak Dance

Nataprawira Family

Tourism Indonesia: Tourism Indonesia Of Batam

2008-12-10T06:56:00.000-08:00

Tourism Indonesia: Tourism Indonesia Of Batam

Summer health tips for dogs

2008-11-17T19:23:00.000-08:00

Summer health tips for dogs

A dog wearing sunglasses and a bandanna.

The University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center wants you and your dog to be prepared this summer. Humans aren't the only species that can suffer from the hot and humid summer climate. The Veterinary Medical Center has served Minnesotans for more than 50 years and is one of the busiest veterinary hospitals in the nation. Here are some reminders that will help your dog stay healthy and comfortable during the summer months.

Beware of summer heat

As the temperature climbs outside, it's important to monitor your dog to prevent overheating. At temperatures of 85 degrees F, given specific humidity levels, even short exposures can be considered dangerous and result in injury or death.

Common signs of a heat stroke include:

* Rapid breathing and increased heart rate

* Discolored gums--dogs experiencing heat stroke will have dull gray or pink gums instead of the red-pink color that normally exists

* Disorientation--dogs may not be aware of their environment

* Refusal to obey commands

* Wild or panicked expression

In the event of a heat stroke, seek veterinary medical attention immediately. Help to lower your dog's body temperature by placing it in the shade with plenty of ventilation and applying cool water to the hairless area on its stomach and the pads of its paws.

To prevent heat stroke do the following:

* Do not leave a dog in a locked car. Temperatures inside cars climb quickly and heat buildup inside a vehicle only takes minutes, especially if the car is parked in direct sunlight. Leaving windows open does not adequately help to lower the temperature.

* Avoid running with dogs during the day. Do it in the early morning or at night. If the dog is not accustomed to running, start slow and exercise for a few minutes and stop frequently for breaks and water.

* Be mindful of dogs with dark fur or dogs with flat faces, such as Pugs or Bulldogs. They overheat quickly and are at higher risk for heat stroke than other dogs.

* Never let a dog go without water. It is essential to hydrate your dog to keep its body temperature at a safe level.

* If a dog is left outside, avoid tethering to a fence or tree. Dogs often tangle their chains, are unable to free themselves, and find themselves stuck in direct sunlight. Place animals in enclosed areas that provide adequate shade and a shelter. This will help the dog stay cool in the hot summer sun.

Keep dogs on a leash

More dogs are hit by cars and involved in dog fights in the summer than in other times of the year. To prevent these accidents, keep your dog on a leash at all times.

Watch out for moldy food

Dogs allowed to roam may get into compost piles or trash cans and ingest tremorgenic mycotoxins, which are toxins sometimes found in moldy food. These toxins produce varying degrees of muscle tremors or seizures that can last for hours, even days. Some dogs experience seizures so severe they result in high temperature and death.

If you suspect your pet ingested moldy food, contact your veterinarian immediately for treatment.

Check the dog's paws

A healthy dog's pads should be rough and feel like fine sandpaper. Running or walking with a dog on hot pavement may burn its pads. As a general rule, if the sidewalk is too hot for you to walk barefoot on, it is too hot for your dog.

Monitor the distance you travel while running, rollerblading, or biking with a dog; the distance may be okay for you, but is often too far for your pet. Allow your dog to take breaks while exercising and check its pads regularly for sores, cracks, or burns.

Prevent fleas and ticks

Fleas can cause medical problems in pets including flea allergy dermatitis, tapeworms, hair loss due to scratching, and secondary skin irritations. Ticks can transmit diseases; the most common are Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis. Prevent fleas and ticks by treating your pet with a topical liquid flea and tick preventative. Ask your veterinarian which treatment is most appropriate for your pet. Seek a board-certified dermatologist for other skin aliments.

Harmful summer foods

Do not feed dogs corn cobs. Dogs cannot digest corn cobs and they will often need to be surgically removed from their stomach. Raisins and grapes ingested in large quantities can cause kidney failure in dogs.

If you think your dog has ingested these foods, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Water safety

Do not allow your dog to drink from stagnant ponds. Bacteria and some forms of algae in ponds can make your pet sick. Make sure your pet has access to clean drinking water.

Protect your dog from drowning by never leaving it unsupervised around a swimming pool. The best way to keep pets safe around a backyard pool is to fence off the pool from the rest of the yard.

If you have an emergency

The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine offers emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is available to assist your pets during any unforeseen emergencies if your veterinarian is unavailable. You can reach the Veterinary Medical Center at (612) 625-9711 if you have any questions or emergencies.

Photo Hadi & Kiki Nataprawira at Bali 2004

2008-10-13T23:12:00.000-07:00

Photo of Nataprawira Family at Italy

2008-10-13T22:17:00.001-07:00

Photo Nataprawira Family at Italy

Top 10 Holiday Travel Tips

2008-09-21T23:51:00.001-07:00

Top 10 Holiday Travel Tips

Make Your Getaway Easier With These Simple Tips
By CARLY MILNE

Travel can be a somewhat stressful experience no matter what the time of year, but taking a trip during the holidays can multiply that anxiety to an unbearable level if you’re not properly prepared. Whether you're packing up for a cross-country flight or loading the car for a road trip to spend holiday time with friends and family, these simple tips will help you get the most out of your vacation time… and manage your travel stress during the busiest transit season of the year.

1. Have a Game Plan

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling alone, with your significant other or a big group -- you should know where you’re going, how you're getting there, what it’s going to cost and what you need while you’re gone. And if you're flying, familiarize yourself with security requirements and carry on allowances to help you plan your packing. Hammering out all the details of your trip before you put down your credit card not only organizes you, but mentally prepares you for the trip ahead.

2. Make Sure You Know What You're Committing To

Are you absolutely sure that you want to jump in the kitchen and help Aunt Susie make a 15-course Thanksgiving dinner after you've spent six hours on a plane? Not to mention the fact that you had to get up at 3am to get to the airport on time, and then there's the jet lag… It’s best you give yourself a day or two to acclimate before launching into the typical holiday madness, unless you’re the type who works best under pressure and exhaustion. In that case, more power to you (and can you share your secrets for such boundless energy?)

3. Make Arrangements for Home

For some people, all they need to feel secure about leaving home is an indoor light timer and having the post office put a hold on their mail. For others -- especially those who have pets -- having a house sitter is more their speed. Whichever category you fall into, making those arrangements early on in your planning will make you all the more comfortable about leaving home behind.

4. Create a List

What do you absolutely need to bring with you that you can't live without? Do you have room for the gifts you bought the family? How about a passport? Starting with a master list of what you need -- not just for each day of your trip, but also while you're in transit -- will help ensure you’re not scrambling to remember if you really did pack your medication in your checked luggage.

5. Try and Travel on Off Days

As a general rule, weekends are the busiest travel times while weekdays tend to carry a lighter load. If you can, aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday departure to make transit easier. If you can’t, try and leave as early as possible to allow for delays and traffic.

6. Be Prepared

You can't always prevent travel drama from happening, but you can always do what you can ahead of time to ensure it’s easier to deal with. Make sure you take your car in for a tune-up at least a week ahead of departure if you’re road tripping and pack at least one change of clothes into a carry-on just in case your checked luggage takes a side trip to Albuquerque. That said…

7. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

It's never fun when the airline reroutes your luggage and getting a flat on the interstate isn’t exactly a great time, but getting all worked up over it isn't going to serve to do anything but give you an ulcer. Do your best to keep your cool, even if the small stuff becomes big stuff. It’ll make it easier to deal with and get through.

8. Know You're Not Going to Get It All Done

You might have every second of every day jam packed with activities, and that’s fine… as long as you accept that there’s no way you'll accomplish it all (unless you’re super human.) There's nothing wrong with a schedule, but making allowances for exhaustion or cousin Joey’s last-minute recital will make life so much easier on you.

9. Recharge Your Batteries

It doesn't matter how long it's been since you’ve seen Uncle Ned -- if you need a nap, take it. Running yourself down during the holidays will only ensure that you get sick, and who wants to take a trip home when they're sick? (Certainly not the passengers traveling with you!)

10. Enjoy the Trip Home

Don't endure your return -- celebrate it. Put yourself in a good mood and enjoy the process of easing back into normal life. Worrying about the dog, bills and what you have to do when you get back to work will just undo all the hard work you did to de-stress in the first place. Don't you want to hang on to vacation bliss as long as you can?

Family Car Travel

2008-09-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

Family Car Travel

There's a reason why so many families tell and re-tell the stories of long-ago road trips in the family car. The truth is, being in such close quarters with the ones we love most can create some hilarious situations and wonderful memories, but it can also be stressful. Follow our tips for family car travel and make your next trip one to remember.

Plan Ahead

Before you hit the road, be honest with yourself about what you and your children can handle in the way of a road trip. While older children might be capable of dealing with 10+ hours in the family van, chances are your 4-year-old isn't. Generally speaking, young children should not be subjected to confinement in a car for more than six hours a day. This is just as much for your sanity as it is for theirs. If your family car is better suited to in-town trips rather than long hauls, think about renting a van. A van will, at minimum, leave everyone enough room to create their own personal space. If your 8-year-old doesn't share his toys, chances are he isn't going to want to share elbow room either. If you decide to rent, make your reservation well in advance, especially during peak travel times. See our article on car rental tips for more information. Start packing, at least mentally, a few days before you leave. Let the kids help pack their own bags if they are old enough, and discuss the trip with them -- kids are much better behaved when they know what to expect. Packed bags mean less confusion, less standing around and less frustration on departure day. This translates into a pleasant start to your road trip. A great way to avoid the inevitable question (are we there yet?) is to give kids a map, or, even more fun, help them create their own. You can trace the route together and point out interesting landmarks so that they will have a sense of where they are going.

What to Bring

Safety first -- if you decide to rent a car, bring your own car seats. Chances are they are of a higher quality than those provided by rental car companies and more comfortable for the kids too. Bring along a first aid kit to treat minor mishaps. Just this once, go against your parenting books and let the television baby-sit your kids. Portable DVD players might just be the key to your sanity on a long trip -- you may want to go as far as to get one for each child. No arguments about whether to watch "Dora the Explorer" or "Spiderman" means peace and quiet for you. Whatever you were planning on bringing in the way of snacks -- double it. And toss the rules about junk food on the roadside -- this is one time to let her have another cookie or him another juice box. One day of poor eating cannot destroy a life of healthy habits. Pack their favorite healthy snacks, and keep the junky ones for when you get desperate. Some other items to consider -- books on CD, their favorite music CD's, blankets, pillows and favorite small toys. Coloring books and crayons will also keep the young ones occupied -- surprise them with a new one when the car gets moving. Keep the car clean by taking along a trash bag to collect the remains of snack time and moist wipes to clean up minor spills. An easily accessible (not packed deep in the trunk) change of clothes is a wise idea in case of spills or accidents.

Avoiding and Treating Motion Sickness

Over-the-counter drugs are available for treating motion sickness; many must be taken before the trip starts. Consult your doctor before giving your kids any new medications. If your child complains of dizziness or nausea, chances are it is just motion sickness and can be cured temporarily by getting out of the car for fresh air. If you can't stop the car, open the car window and encourage the child to look outside the car rather than focusing on a point inside the vehicle. Avoid hard-to-digest foods and keep dry crackers on hand to munch on if nausea sets in.

Keep the Peace

Take advantage of sights along the way, even if it's just at a neighborhood park or a McDonald's with a playground. Although it might add time to the trip, stopping often will keep the journey interesting for young travelers. Sometimes a quick stop to burn off energy is all they need to get back in the car happily. Plan your road trip with your child's sleeping schedule in mind. Many parents choose to leave late in the evening and let the children sleep while they divide the driving. Other parents will try their best to adhere to nap times in the car -- after all, few things are more unpleasant than a child who's missed his or her nap. Don't expect your children to share nicely. Make sure you've packed ample toys, games, books and snacks for each child so the fighting is kept to a minimum. If there is room, change up the scenery in the car by letting an old-enough child ride in the passenger seat while an adult rides in the back seat with a younger child. Lastly, if you are traveling with a spouse, consider designating roles -- driver and entertainer. The driver will concentrate on the road while the other keeps the peace -- keeping your whole family happy and, most importantly, safe.

Slide Show Vino Nataprawira

2008-09-21T23:27:00.001-07:00

Hafiona Nataprawira Family at Washington Dc

2008-09-16T02:04:00.000-07:00

Richad,Izel,Fiona

Izel

Hadi,Izel

Kiki,Izel,Fiona

Cheese and Wine Occasion

2008-09-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

Cheese and wine Occasion

At Kintamani Apartemen,Hadi Nataprawira and Kiki Sudjono invite Designer Harry Darsono,Senior Lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution,and friends

Culture of Asia

2008-09-13T02:45:00.000-07:00

Culture of Asia
From Wikipedia

The culture of Asia is the artificial aggregate of the cultural heritage of many nationalities, societies, religions, and ethnic groups in the region, traditionally called a continent from a Western-centric perspective, of Asia. The region or "continent" is more commonly divided into more natural geographic and cultural subregions, including the Caucasus, Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia (the "Indian subcontinent"), North Asia, Southwest Asia and Southeast Asia. Geographically, Asia is not a distinct continent; culturally, there has been little unity or common history for many of the cultures and peoples ofAsia.

Asian art, music, and cuisine, as well as literature, are important parts of Asian culture. Eastern philosophy and religion also plays a major role, with Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, and Christianity all playing major roles. One of the most complex parts of Asian culture is the relationship between traditional cultures and the Western world.

Nationalities and ethnic groups

There are an abundance of ethnic groups throughout Asia, with adaptations to the climate zones of Asia, which can be Arctic, subarctic, temperate, subtropical or tropical. The ethnic groups have adapted to mountains, deserts, grasslands, and forests. On the coasts of Asia, the ethnic groups have adopted various methods of harvest and transport. Some groups are primarily hunter-gatherers, some practice transhumance (nomadic lifestyle), others have been agrarian/rural for millennia and others are becoming industrial/urban. Some groups/countries of Asia are completely urban (Singapore and Hong Kong). The colonization of Asia was largely ended in the twentieth century, with national drives for independence and self-determination across the continent.

East Asia

East Asia is usually thought to consist of China, Japan, and Korea. The dominant influence historically has been China, though in modern times, cultural exchange has flowed more bi-directionally. Major characteristics of this region include shared Chinese-derived language characteristics, as well as shared religion, especially Buddhism and Taoism. There is also a shared social and moral philosophy derived from Confucianism.

The Chinese Script is generally agreed to be the unifying principle. It was historically used throughout the region, and is still used to some extent in most countries of the region. In most cases, the meaning of the characters remain unchanged, but the pronunciation differs between regions. Even within China, for example, a Cantonese person and a person from northern China probably cannot hold a conversation, but they can certainly understand each other by passing notes. The Chinese writing system is the oldest continuous writing system in the world (but by no means primitive). It was passed on first to Korea, and was the main writing system there until the end of World War II, and to Japan, where it now forms a major component of the Japanese writing system. In Vietnam, classical Chinese (Han Tu) was used during the millennium of Chinese rule, with the vernacular Chu Nom script replacing it later on. However, this has now (since the early 20th century) been replaced completely by the Latin Alphabet-based Quoc Ngu. In these cultures, especially in China and Japan the educational level of person is traditionally measured by the quality of his or her calligraphy, rather than diction, as is sometimes the case in the west.

Though Korea and Japan are not Chinese speaking regions, their languages have been heavily influenced by Chinese. Even though their writing systems have changed over time (with limited use of Chinese characters in Korea), Chinese is still found in the historical roots of many borrowed words, especially technical terms.

Apart from the unifying influence of Confucianism, Buddhism, Chinese characters, and other Chinese Cultural Influences, there is nevertheless much diversity between the countries of the region.

South Asia (Indian Subcontinent)

Some North Indian states and the nations of Pakistan and Afghanistan share a common heritage from the Indus Valley Civilization and the Maurya, Kushan, Gupta and Mughal empires. The four South Indian states and Sri Lanka share a Dravidian culture, due to the prominence of Dravidian languages there. Bangladesh and the state of West Bengal share a common heritage and culture based on the Bengali language.

Nepal, Bhutan, the states of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and parts of the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal have a great cultural similarity to Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism being the dominant religion there. Finally the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura have great cultural affinities with South East Asia.
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, the four major world religions founded in the region that is today's India, are spread throughout the subcontinent. While 80% of Indians are Hindus and Nepal is a Hindu-majority State, Sri Lanka and Bhutan have a majority of Buddhists. Islam is the pre-dominant religion of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Indo-Aryan languages are spoken in Pakistan and most of North, West and East India and Nepal. Dravidian languages are spoken in South India and Sri Lanka. Tibeto-Burman languages are spoken in the North and North East India.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia consists of Mainland Southeast Asia and Maritime Southeast Asia. The region has been greatly influenced by the cultures and religions of India and China as well as the religions Islam and Christianity from Southwest Asia. Southeast Asia has also had a lot of Western influence due to the lasting legacy of colonialism. One example is the Philippines which has been heavily influenced by America due to the invasion.

A common feature found around the region are stilt houses. Another shared feature is rice paddy agriculture, which originated in Southeast Asia thousands of years ago. Dance is also a very important feature of the culture, utilizing movements of the hands and feet perfected over thousands of years. Furthermore, the arts and literature of Southeast Asia is very distinctive as some have been influenced by Indian, Hindu, Chinese, Buddhist and Islamic literat
ure.

http://phototourismindonesia.blogspot.com

Islam

2008-09-13T02:09:00.000-07:00

Shalat

Khabah

Islam

From Wikipedia

Muslims believe that God revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad, God's final prophet, through angel Gabriel, and regard the Qur'an and the Sunnah (words and deeds of Muhammad) as the fundamental sources of Islam.They do not regard Muhammad as the founder of a new religion, but as the restorer of the original monotheistic faith of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets. Islamic tradition holds that Jews and Christians distorted the revelations God gave to these prophets by either altering the text, introducing a false interpretation, or both.

Islam includes many religious practices. Adherents are generally required to observe the Five Pillars of Islam, which are five duties that unite Muslims into a community.In addition to the Five Pillars, Islamic law (sharia) has developed a tradition of rulings that touch on virtually all aspects of life and society. This tradition encompasses everything from practical matters like dietary laws and banking to warfare and welf

Almost all Muslims belong to one of two major denominations, the Sunni (85%) and Shi'a (15%). The schism developed in the late 7th century following disagreements over the religious and political leadership of the Muslim community. Islam is the predominant religion in Africa and the Middle East, as well as in major parts of Asia. Large communities are also found in China, the Balkan Peninsula in Eastern Europe and Russia. There are also large Muslim immigrant communities in other parts of the world, such as Western Europe. About 20% of Muslims live in Arab countries, 30% in the Indian subcontinent and 15.6% in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country by population.

Etymology and meaning

The word Islam is a verbal noun originating from the triliteral root s-l-m, and is derived from the Arabic verb Aslama, which means "to accept, surrender or submit." Thus, Islam means acceptance of and submission to God, and believers must demonstrate this by worshipping him, following his commands, and avoiding polytheism. The word is given a number of meanings in the Qur'an. In some verses (ayat), the quality of Islam as an internal conviction is stressed: "Whomsoever God desires to guide, He expands his breast to Islam." Other verses connect islām and dīn (usually translated as "religion"): "Today, I have perfected your religion (dīn) for you; I have completed My blessing upon you; I have approved Islam for your religion."Still others describe Islam as an action of returning to God—more than just a verbal affirmation of faith.Another technical meaning in Islamic thought is as one part of a triad of islam, imān (faith), and ihsān (excellence); where it represents acts of worship (`ibādah) and Islamic law (sharia).

Articles of faith

The Qur'an states that all Muslims must believe in God, his revelations, his angels, his messengers, and in the "Day of Judgment". Also, there are other beliefs that differ between particular sects. The Sunni concept of predestination is called divine decree, while the Shi'a version is called divine justice. Unique to the Shi'a is the doctrine of Imamah, or the political and spiritual leadership of the Imams.

Muslims believe that God revealed his final message to humanity through the Islamic prophet Muhammad via the archangel Gabriel (Jibrīl). For them, Muhammad was God's final prophet and the Qur'an is the revelations he received over more than two decades.In Islam, prophets are men selected by God to be his messengers. Muslims believe that prophets are human and not divine, though some are able to perform miracles to prove their claim. Islamic prophets are considered to be the closest to perfection of all humans, and are uniquely the recipients of divine revelation—either directly from God or through angels. The Qur'an mentions the names of numerous figures considered prophets in Islam, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, among others.Islamic theology says that all of God's messengers since Adam preached the message of Islam—submission to the will of God. Islam is described in the Qur'an as "the primordial nature upon which God created mankind",and the Qur'an states that the proper name Muslim was given by Abraham.

As a historical phenomenon, Islam originated in Arabia in the early 7th century.Islamic texts depict Judaism and Christianity as prophetic successor traditions to the teachings of Abraham. The Qur'an calls Jews and Christians "People of the Book" (ahl al-kitāb), and distinguishes them from polytheists. Muslims believe that parts of the previously revealed scriptures, the Tawrat (Torah) and the Injil (Gospels), had become distorted—either in interpretation, in text, or both.

God

Islam's fundamental theological concept is tawhīd—the belief that there is only one god. The Arabic term for God is Allāh; most scholars believe it was derived from a contraction of the words al- (the) and ʾilāh (deity, masculine form), meaning "the god" (al-ilāh), but others trace its origin to the Aramaic Alāhā.The first of the Five Pillars of Islam, tawhīd is expressed in the shahadah (testification), which declares that there is no god but God, and that Muhammad is God's messenger. In traditional Islamic theology, God is beyond all comprehension; Muslims are not expected to visualize God but to worship and adore him as a protector. Although Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, they reject the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, comparing it to polytheism. In Islamic theology, Jesus was just a man and not the son of God;God is described in a chapter (sura) of the Qur'an as "…God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him."

Qur'an

Muslims consider the Qur'an to be the literal word of God; it is the central religious text of Islam. Muslims believe that the verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Muhammad by God through the angel Gabriel on many occasions between 610 and his death on June 8, 632. The Qur'an was reportedly written down by Muhammad's companions (sahabah) while he was alive, although the prime method of transmission was orally. It was compiled in the time of Abu Bakr, the first caliph, and was standardized under the administration of Uthman, the third caliph. From textual evidence modern Western academics find that the Qur'an of today has not changed significantly over the years.

The Qur'an is divided into 114 suras, or chapters, which combined, contain 6,236 āyāt, or verses. The chronologically earlier suras, revealed at Mecca, are primarily concerned with ethical and spiritual topics. The later Medinan suras mostly discuss social and moral issues relevant to the Muslim community. The Qur'an is more concerned with moral guidance than legal instruction, and is considered the "sourcebook of Islamic principles and values".Muslim jurists consult the hadith, or the written record of Muhammad's life, to both supplement the Qur'an and assist with its interpretation. The science of Qur'anic commentary and exegesis is known as tafsir.

The word Qur'an means "recitation". When Muslims speak in the abstract about "the Qur'an", they usually mean the scripture as recited in Arabic rather than the printed work or any translation of it. To Muslims, the Qur'an is perfect only as revealed in the original Arabic; translations are necessarily deficient because of language differences, the fallibility of translators, and the impossibility of preserving the original's inspired style. Translations are therefore regarded only as commentaries on the Qur'an, or "interpretations of its meaning", not as the Qur'an itself.

Angels

Belief in angels is crucial to the faith of Islam. The Arabic word for Angels (malak) means "messenger", like its counterparts in Hebrew (malakh) and Greek (angelos). According to the Qur'an, angels do not possess free will, and worship God in perfect obedience.Angels' duties include communicating revelations from God, glorifying God, recording every person's actions, and taking a person's soul at the time of death. They are also thought to intercede on man's behalf. The Qur'an describes angels as "messengers with wings—two, or three, or four (pairs): He [God] adds to Creation as He pleases…

Muhammad

Muhammad (c. 570 – June 8, 632) was an Arab religious, political, and military leader who founded the religion of Islam as a historical phenomenon. Muslims view him not as the creator of a new religion, but as the restorer of the original, uncorrupted monotheistic faith of Adam, Abraham and others. In Muslim tradition, Muhammad is viewed as the last and the greatest in a series of prophets—as the man closest to perfection, the possessor of all virtues. For the last 23 years of his life, beginning at age 40, Muhammad reported receiving revelations from God. The content of these revelations, known as the Qur'an, was memorized and recorded by his companions.

During this time, Muhammad preached to the people of Mecca, imploring them to abandon polytheism. Although some converted to Islam, Muhammad and his followers were persecuted by the leading Meccan authorities. After 13 years of preaching, Muhammad and the Muslims performed the Hijra ("emigration") to the city of Medina (formerly known as Yathrib) in 622. There, with the Medinan converts (Ansar) and the Meccan migrants (Muhajirun), Muhammad established his political and religious authority. Within years, two battles had been fought against Meccan forces: the Battle of Badr in 624, which was a Muslim victory, and the Battle of Uhud in 625, which ended inconclusively. Conflict with Medinan Jewish clans who opposed the Muslims led to their exile, enslavement or death, and the Jewish enclave of Khaybar was subdued. At the same time, Meccan trade routes were cut off as Muhammad brought surrounding desert tribes under his control. By 629 Muhammad was victorious in the nearly bloodless Conquest of Mecca, and by the time of his death in 632 he ruled over the Arabian peninsula.

In Islam, the "normative" example of Muhammad's life is called the Sunnah (literally "trodden path"). This example is preserved in traditions known as hadith ("reports"), which recount his words, his actions, and his personal characteristics. The classical Muslim jurist ash-Shafi'i (d. 820) emphasized the importance of the Sunnah in Islamic law, and Muslims are encouraged to emulate Muhammad's actions in their daily lives. The Sunnah is seen as crucial to guiding interpretation of the Qur'an.

Resurrection and judgment

Belief in the "Day of Resurrection", yawm al-Qiyāmah (also known as yawm ad-dīn, "Day of Judgment" and as-sā`a, "the Last Hour") is also crucial for Muslims. They believe that the time of Qiyāmah is preordained by God but unknown to man. The trials and tribulations preceding and during the Qiyāmah are described in the Qur'an and the hadith, and also in the commentaries of Islamic scholars. The Qur'an emphasizes bodily resurrection, a break from the pre-Islamic Arabian understanding of death. It states that resurrection will be followed by the gathering of mankind, culminating in their judgment by God.

The Qur'an lists several sins that can condemn a person to hell, such as disbelief, usury and dishonesty. Muslims view paradise (jannah) as a place of joy and bliss, with Qur'anic references describing its features and the physical pleasures to come. There are also references to a greater joy—acceptance by God (ridwān).Mystical traditions in Islam place these heavenly delights in the context of an ecstatic awareness of God.

Predestination

In accordance with the Islamic belief in predestination, or divine preordainment (al-qadā wa'l-qadar), God has full knowledge and control over all that occurs. This is explained in Qur'anic verses such as "Say: 'Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector'…" For Muslims, everything in the world that occurs, good or evil, has been preordained and nothing can happen unless permitted by God. In Islamic theology, divine preordainment does not suggest an absence of God's indignation against evil, because any evils that do occur are thought to result in future benefits men may not be able to see. According to Muslim theologians, although events are pre-ordained, man possesses free will in that he has the faculty to choose between right and wrong, and is thus responsible for his actions. According to Islamic tradition, all that has been decreed by God is written in al-Lawh al-Mahfūz, the "Preserved Tablet".

The Shi'a understanding of predestination is called "divine justice" (Adalah). This doctrine, originally developed by the Mu'tazila, stresses the importance of man's responsibility for his own actions. In contrast, the Sunni deemphasize the role of individual free will in the context of God's creation and foreknowledge of all things.

Creating the Photo Album

2008-09-11T22:22:00.001-07:00

Vino Nataprawira

Creating the Photo Album

While a family vacation must come to an end, involving children in the making of a photo album will extend the adventure and preserve the family fun. The following tips will help you create a photo album and keep your kids entertained for hours.

Before you depart

* Determine the type of travel album you and your children would like to create. A traditional photo album, scrapbook or website?
* Assign responsibilities. Who will take pictures and notes? Collect leaves? Buy postcards? Save plane tickets?
* Give kids their own tools. Buy a disposable camera and notebook for each child. In addition to enabling kids to capture and note their observations, a camera and notebook will keep them entertained throughout the trip.

Collecting information

* Let your children help decide what to snap, write and collect.
* Don’t forget to the record the sound. While tape recorders may be old fashioned, they take up limited space, enable children to record interviews, messages and travel songs and, most importantly, keep sticky fingers away from your valuable digital equipment.

Making the photo album

* Begin working on your album as soon as you return, precious memories fade quicker than you may imagine.
* Hands on! Kids enjoy cutting out pictures, attaching postcards, and writing descriptions.
* The words and art should be their own. If your kids are not old enough to write, take notes of the things they liked and disliked or ask them to draw pictures.
* Help them plan their work. Get mementos ready and add supplies; glue, tape, scissors, colored pencils as well as stickers, cloth, ribbons, and frames.
* Manage expectations, particularly your own. If the album does not turn out the way you anticipated, create your own.

One last tip. When you're done, encourage your children to share your travel photo album with family and friends.

(By María Laura Lecuona)

What snacks are good for my child?

2008-09-11T22:01:00.000-07:00

What snacks are good for my child?

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low- or nonfat dair also make great snacks for children. Here are some ideas for ways to serve these foods to your kids:

Fruits:

* Bits of fruit stirred into nonfat yogurt
* Strawberries
* Raisins
* Grapes
* Pineapple chunks
* Orange or grapefruit sections
* Bananas cooked lightly in apple juice
* Apple slices with all natural peanut butter
* Dried fruit mixes

Vegetables:

* Carrot sticks
* Celery sticks with all natural peanut butter
* Raw broccoli and cauliflower florets with a low-fat dip or salsa

Protein:

* 1% fat or fat-free cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
* Water-packed tuna mixed with fat-free mayonnaise on top of celery sticks or whole-grain crackers
* Fat-free yogurt topped with sunflower seeds, chopped dried fruit or a spoonful of oat bran

Whole grains:

* Cereals or cereal bars that are low in sugar and fat, and high in fiber and protein
* Whole-grain crackers, breads or bagels

Sweets and desserts:

* Fat-free frozen yogurt
* Juice bars
* Sherbet and sorbet

http://orangecakerecipe.blogspot.com

Nutrition Tips for Kids

2008-09-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

Nutrition Tips for Kids

Why is healthy eating important for my child?
Many more children in the United States are being diagnosed with high cholesterol, or as overweight or obese. These conditions can cause many health problems for your child such as diabetes and high blood pressure, both now and as he or she moves into adulthood.

By helping your child eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, you can reduce his or her risk of experiencing these health problems.

What are some examples of healthy meals?

Breakfast: The first meal of the day is a good time to give your child foods that are high in fiber. Whole-grain breads, cereals, fruit, low-fat or nonfat cheeses and yogurt are also good breakfast foods. Use skim or low-fat milk rather than whole or 2% milk. Fruit juice is usually high in calories and has less nutrients than whole fruit (fresh or canned).

Lunch: Use whole-grain breads and rolls to make a healthier sandwich. Whole grains increase the total fiber in your child's diet and are less processed than enriched white bread. Give your child whole-grain crackers with soups, chili and stew, and always serve fresh fruit (with the skin) with meals instead of chips or other high-calorie options.

http://fruitcake-recipe.blogspot.com

Vino(grandson) & Hadi Birthday (grandpa)4 januari 2007

2008-09-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

Haris & Andy

cousin

Hilmi,Herta,Hadi

Vino 3 thn

Hilmi,Kiki,Shita

Birthday Nini Diana Nataprawira 2003

2008-09-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

Antania Nataprawira & Saman Dancer Group

2008-09-08T05:59:00.000-07:00

At Alhazhar

Imlek 2008 together with Alaydrus Family

2008-09-07T00:25:00.000-07:00

Lebaran 2007 at Apartemen Kintamani

2008-09-06T23:15:00.000-07:00

Herta,Daughter Family

Hadrian Family

Hilian Family

Hilson Family

Kiki

Fina,Fafa & Daughter

Hadi & Sutan Nasotion

Vino

Family Gathering at Palalangon Ciawi

2008-09-06T22:10:00.000-07:00

Hadrian Nataprawira Birthday

2008-09-06T21:59:00.000-07:00

Dian Nataprawira

Happy Family at Mandar Bintaro

Tumpengan,Birthday Hadrian

Edy

Tanya,Tasya,Via,Ana

Anto,Devi,Ero

Hadi Nataprawira & cucu

Kiki

Family Gathering At Herta Syamsi Nasution

2008-09-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

Tanya & Tasya

Almarhum Syamsi Nasution

Family gathering(thn 2005)

Kiki,Herta Dery(almarhum) & Hadi

Hadi & Cucu (Halvino)

Happy Family

2008-09-06T21:07:00.000-07:00

Nataprawira large family gathering, we are all happy

Via,Kiki,Herul,Tasya&Hanna(Apatemen Kintamani)

Hanandia (Daughter Hadi Nataprawira)

Hadi & Herul (Brother Nataprawira)

Hadi,Herul,Herta (Brother & Sister Nataprawira)

Hadi,Herul,Halvino,Hanandia,Tanya&Hanna

Herul Nataprawira

Hadrian(Daughter Hadi Nataprawira)

Herta (Nataprawira 2)

Helmy Nataprawira(3)

Hadi Nataprawira(1)

Hilson Helmi Nataprawira

Fina(Daughter Helmi Nataprawira)

Hilma(Daughter Helmy Nataprawira),Hadrian(Daughter Hadi Nataprawira)

Hadrian, Lia (Daughter Herta Nataprawira)

Tasya,Tanya (Daughter Hadrian Nataprawira)

Hanna Birthday

2008-09-06T20:01:00.000-07:00

Hanna Birthday

Misya, Tasya & Tanya

Hanna & Husband

Birthday Hanna

Fina&Chlidren&Tanya&Tasya

Misya,Hanna,Tasya,Tanya & Lia Sitompul

Via,Kiki,Herul,Hanna,Tasya

Tasya & Hanna

Hanna,Tasya & Hadi Nataprawira

Hadi,Herul,Halvino,Hanandia,Tanya,Hanna

Hadi & Herul ( Brother Nataprawira )

Hanna Nataprawia celebrate his birthday in Jakarta, he actually stayed in Australia, he married men Autralia, also the father (Herul Nataprawira), his mother also his sister, once they have long become a citizen Australia.
And this photo while Hanna celebrate the birthday year, the family gathered artist of Nataprawira