Monday, October 31, 2022
Friday, October 28, 2022
A HUNGARIAN- AMERICAN INTERPRETATION OF HUNGARIAN ALL SOULS and ALL SAINTS CAKE GIVING
In Hungarian tradition, which is surprisingly like the Mexican one, families take food to the cemetery. They clean the graves, leave flowers and food for the ancestors. They light candles on the graves. And they may also give "Beggers" who are outside the gates some of the bread or cake they brought with them. It makes practical sense that the beggers should eat, for food can only be 'eaten' by the spirits who are in the next world.
May I suggest that a way for Hungarian-Americans to continue this tradition is to donate to a food bank?
Though I'm no longer volunteering at meal or food bank - distribution sites, I've made some inquiries about how it's going at a local food bank. I'm told that as the cost of living has gotten out of control, the contributions are way down, especially of the fresh produce, and so they are giving out more dry goods - pasta, rice, and so on, and even the canned goods tend to be potato and corn. I can tell you that too much of these foods is not a healthy diet and the cause of weight gain and even problems with sugar. These carbs must be balanced with proteins and vegetables. I know that I myself sometimes make too much of a meal with them.
However, I realized long ago that the things that are given out - and sometimes that includes non-food items such as soap and shampoo and toothpaste - are still appreciated. If a person goes to a foodbank before their money runs out, they may be able to spend on the items that they do not receive at no charge.
Most food banks cannot accept your home baked goods, even though the same baked goods could be given to a church bazaar or event. This is because of health department rules that aim to prevent food illnesses and also because of the rare but terrible events in which evil people intend to harm others through things they bake in or put in foods. Packaged and store bought items rather than home baked items are even required for schools. I sure wish we were back in the day with this. As a result, what you donate to a food bank must also be purchased at a store.
Bread is something that is inexpensive for most stores to donate to food banks and so there is usually quite a bit of it given. However, I noticed that my local stores that used to have drastically reduced day-old pastries and breads are also out of these items.
Please consider my suggestion.
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Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Friday, October 21, 2022
WARSAW MUMMY PROJECT ID'S FIRST PREGNANT MUMMY
You may want to look at past posts here at MAGYAR AMERICAN BLOGSPOT dealing with the HUNGARIAN MUMMIES too.
The Warsaw Mummy Project is applying the latest medical science techniques to EGYPTIAN MUMMIES and has discovered a pregnant mummy, they call The Mysterious Lady.
Death in childbirth was (and is) a real threat and so it's surprising that no pregnant mummy has been found before. Perhaps those in museums were pregnant and only now can this be detected?
This site is beautifully designed with an interesting interactive...
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Saturday, October 15, 2022
RECIPE FOR ALL SAINTS CAKE Mindszenti Kalacska - SOUL CAKES
CATHOLIC CULTURE LITURGICAL RECIPES This cake has lemon or orange rind intended for a little flavor, yeast, lots of eggs. However this citrus cannot be a traditional cake because citrus was not traditionally available in Hungary. I know from other research that the source of vitamin C in Hungary was peppers and cabbage. An orange or lemon was imported was a special but unusual treat for a long time.
Small round cakes with a cross on top - be that by cutting or decorating a cross icon - are called SOUL CAKES and other European cultures also had a tradition of giving out these cakes. An English tradition had children praying for souls and being given these cakes as a kind of treat.
There are also pagan traditions that suggest that food is offered for Hungry (not Hungarian) Ghosts.
If you have a recipe you want to share please send it in a comment~ thanks!
Thursday, October 13, 2022
POST SUMERIAN SCYTHIAN MAGYARS
Monday, October 10, 2022
Thursday, October 6, 2022
TOLEDO OHIO HUNGARIANS
HUNGARIAN CLUB OF TOLEDO
I was unable to find an official web site for this active group, other than Facebook. I personally have never done Facebook but I realize some people like it. So, I will allow you to do your own bit of research in order to connect with your Hungarian and American-Hungarian peers in Toledo. For those of you, who are like me, not familiar with Toledo, they are in the Birmingham area and it appears they have a club house.
The group appears to be very active and get involved in local festivals like the Beer and Bacon.
If you're a member of this club, please use COMMENTS to tell us more
PS: Ohio and New Jersey have the most people of Hungarian or American-Hungarian descent.
Monday, October 3, 2022
DO YOU KNOW A HUNGARIAN GHOST STORY?
Please leave a comment! Maybe a referral to a book or article?