Thai Hotel

The Thai / Lao Spring Rolls are easy to make and healthy because they are not deep fried. You can fill the rice paper with any ingredients you wish.

Spring Roll Basic Instructions:

1. Place a damp cloth over a flat surface.
2. Submerge a rice paper into hot water for less than 4 seconds.
3. Place the rice paper over the damp cloth.
4. Place fillings onto rice paper and arrange neatly.
5. Roll the rice paper tightly while tucking in vegetables.
6. Fold in the sides and finish rolling.
7. The rice paper should complete two rotations.

lf the spring rolls are made in advance of serving, place the damp cloth over the spring rolls to keep the rice paper moist.

Spring Roll Dipping Sauce:

Because this sauce is so good, you’ll want to double dip. Therefore, each person must have his own spring roll dipping sauce sprinkled with crushed toasted peanuts.

Spring Roll Dipping Sauce Ingredients:

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup rice vinegar or fresh squeezed lime
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup fish sauce
1 garlic clove minced
1 teaspoon dried crushed chilies

In a sauce pan, heat the water and vinegar to dissolve the sugar. Once sugar is dissolved, add garlic, chilies and fish sauce. Once cooled, this sauce can be stored in the refrigerator.

Toasting Peanuts:

I like to purchase whole roasted peanuts where I have to individually remove the shell and membrane. Do not roast salted peanuts–it removes the authenticity. Always garnish with crushed toasted peanuts.

Toasting Peanuts Instructions:

Toast unsalted peanuts in a shallow pan over medium heat. Shake the pan or stir the peanuts often to toast peanuts evenly. Stop toasting when 75% of the peanut surface is dark. Use a mortar and pestle to crush the peanuts into broken pieces. Sprinkle the crushed toasted peanuts over the Spring Roll Dipping Sauce before serving dipping sauce with the rice paper spring rolls.

At www.thai-laos-food.blogspot.com, there is a free video where you can see how to roll a spring roll.

Manivan Larprom, a Thai / Lao girl, teaches you how to cook Thai / Lao food with her home made videos at http://www.thai-laos-food.blogspot.com

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With the rise in popularity of mixed martial arts and the UFC, Muay Thai has become more popular then ever before. But is it the best form of martial arts for you to learn?

Let’s take a closer look at Muay Thai

It is rather hard to pinpoint the exact start and history of Muay Thai as it has evolved through the years and still continues to evolve today.

Muay Thai is considered by some to have been a deviation of a martial art from south east China. Others believe that it came from an enchant form of kickboxing in India.

Muay Thai began as Krabi Krabong, the Siamese military fighting style with a sword in one hand. Developing through time and natural evolution of the art, it gave birth to Muay Boran, ancient style Muay Thai. As battlefield warfare evolved into a more technological basis, hand to hand combat was no longer required within the military, and Muay Thai became a sporting martial art, kept alive in Thailand as a competetive sport, and for many, a way of life.

The basic concept of Muay Thai has not changed much over the years Martial Arts like karate and tae-kwon-do mainly focus on striking and ‘hard’ forms of very straight kicks. Muay Thai has always had a focus around punching with a boxing style, using knees and elbows to defend and block kicks and punches as well, the kicking is not as ‘hard’ in its form as other main line martial arts.

The one very unique strategy that Muay Thai embraces is a technique called the “Clinch”. How the “Clinch” works is, your hands are wrapped around the other person’s neck for leverage so you can use your knee to get in and start working on the other persons mid section. It is a very effective technique if you know what you are doing.

The one thing you need to know about Muay Thai is that it is a FULL CONTACT SPORT. Yes it is a martial art at its core but from a functional prospective it is a sport and with that means you are going to get into very good shape when you train in Muay Thai.

This also brings up another challenge Your risk of getting injured is greater with Muay Thai then it is with most other traditional martial arts. The reason for this is because your always training with contact!

The one thing that Muay Thai has is a great built in self-defense component. Because you spend most of your time sparring with others, you get to experience full-contact fighting on a regular basis. So from a self-defense perspective It is a real winner!

Is Muay Thai For You?

The only way to find out is to go and checkout a few schools in your area so you can see first hand if you like Muay Thai! They will offer you a free class and sometimes a free month. It is well worth your time to check out your local schools.

Jim Anderson is an avid trainer and helps people learn self-defense using aikido and martial arts to protect themselves on the street. His site is
http://www.underground-training.com/muay_thai.

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As the daily grind and extra work schedule takes its toll on your general health and well-being, do you ever long for time and space to recharge your batteries? The day spa experience offers the perfect option when you can’t getaway for longer than a few hours. Enjoy a break from the everyday routine and stress. Disappear for just a short time and make yourself feel like you’ve been away for a week.

Each day spa offers its own menu of services and typically includes various types of therapeutic massage, facials, body treatments, manicures and pedicures as well as luxurious body wraps. Aromatherapy is often added to the spa treatment to provide another element to the overall experience. There are different procedures in each spa, but in general you will be given slippers, towels and a fluffy robe.

Therapeutic spa therapies used by ancient civilisations have been re-born in various forms to suit the modern-day spa-goer. Why not try one of these wonderful spa treatments that originate from around the world.

1. Enjoy a body wrap in seaweed, clay, mud or plant extracts for the ultimate relaxing and detox experience. Relax tired muscles, enhance blood circulation and nourish the whole body.

2. A Swedish or Thai massage will soothe, relax and invigorate the body. The experience is enhanced with therapeutic essential oils.

3. A European Facial will hydrate, soothe and purify the skin. Therapeutic products include calming and anti-aging ingredients.

4. A treat for your feet! The treatment begins with a soak in a soothing footbath. Gentle removal of dry skin is followed by a foot and leg massage. Leave toes natural or apply the latest color.

5. A Full Body Scrub with sea salt followed by a Vichy Shower or Hydrotherapy treatment with aromatic oils completes the treatment.

6. Feel the stress melt away with a Hot Stone Treatment! Allow the warm aromatic stones that are gently placed on your body to relieve the stress of the day.

So take that well deserved day off. Find your perfect spa spot and put the spring back in your step. The ultimate day spa experience awaits.

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Angie Kocsi is co-founder of http://www.spasincanada.ca. After many years enjoying the great spas in Europe and drawing upon her experience and knowledge of the corporate world, along with a successful career in Public Relations and International Marketing Spas in Canada
was created. For more information contact the spa team by email: spas@spasincanada.ca

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