Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston

It was on Saturday, April 26, 2003, about twenty minutes before three o’clock in the afternoon when Aron Ralston’s right hand and wrist were pinned between an 800-pound boulder and a canyon wall in Blue John Canyon in Utah. Ralston, then a twenty-seven year old outdoorsman, had been on numerous challenging climbing trips and excursions, and he had expected his hike to Blue John Canyon to be minor compared to his previous attempts of climbing higher peaks in sometimes severe weather conditions. In his book, BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, Ralston chronicles how he survived in the Blue John Canyon with little food and water for six days and how his family and friends came together to search for him and safely bring him back home. Although Ralston cut off his forearm and physically lost a part of himself because of this ordeal, he gains emotional maturity, spiritual insight, and an understanding of the power of letting go: “I feel like I’ve recognized a great truth: Some other marvelous force is in control, and has been all along…all I know for sure is that I don’t have to sweat it out anymore, because I’m not in charge” (247). Ralston’s book is a testimony of the power of seeking and giving to others inspiration, passion, and dreams.
For articles and videos about Aron Ralston and his survival story, visit: http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/04/04/cnn25.tan.ralston/index.html, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5956900/, and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2XLoQ1xYB0.

Happy reading!
Seika K.

Tandoori Chicken

Ingredients:
1 Chicken cut into pieces
Tandoori Chicken Masala (Shan Masala from Indian grocers)
Chili powder
Ground Cumin
Ground Turmeric
Salt
Garlic and ginger paste
Onion coarsely sliced
Red color (optional)
Vegetable oil
Tomato Sauce
Plain yogurt
Lime (or lime juice)

Preparations:
Take the chicken pieces and remove the skin and clean them with cold water. Drain the chicken. Add 1-2 tbsp of garlic and ginger paste. Add 3-4 tbsp of Tandooric Chicken Masala, 4-5 tbsp of tomato sauce, Add 1 tbsp of chili powder, 2 tbsp of ground cumin, 2 tsp of turmeric, salt to taste, half lime juice, 2 tbsp of yogurt and 1 tsp of red color if you have some. Mix the chicken and onions so it's well coated with all the spices. Marinate the chicken for atleast half hour in the refrigerator. Take a baking pan and line it with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Coat the foil with about 3-4 tbsp of oil so the chicken doesn't stick. Put the chicken in the baking pan and a few tbsp of oil on top of the chicken. Cook the chicken in the oven at 450 degrees for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. Take out of the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Enjoy with some pita bread or a side of white rice. BBQing the chicken is also great during the summer. Enjoy!!!