Recipe: German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake

The BEST homemade German Chocolate Cake with layers of coconut pecan frosting and chocolate frosting. This cake is incredible!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 15

Calories: 591 kcal

Author: Lauren Allen

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:

2 cups sugar

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup oil , canola or vegetable

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

For the Coconut Frosting:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

3 egg yolks

3/4 cup evaporated milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped Pecans

1 cup shredded coconut

For the Chocolate Frosting:

1/2 cup butter

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Grease two 8 or 9-inch round baking pans. I like to cut a round piece of wax or parchment paper for the bottom of the pan also, to make sure the cake comes out easily.

For the Cake:

1. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. In a separate bowl combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla and mix well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Stir in boiling water (batter will be very thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

2. Bake for 25 - 35 minutes (depending on your cake pan size. The 9'' pan takes less time to bake) or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with few crumbs. Cool 5 minutes in the pan and then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.

For the coconut frosting:

1. In a medium saucepan add brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, egg yolks, and evaporated milk. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Stir constantly for several minutes until the mixture begins to thicken.

2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, nuts and coconut. Allow to cool completely before layering it on the cake.

For the Chocolate Frosting:

1. Melt butter. Stir in cocoa powder. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.

Add small amount additional milk, if needed to thin the frosting, or a little extra powder, until you reach your desired consistency. Stir in vanilla.

Cake Assembly:

1. Place one of the cake rounds on your serving stand or plate.

2. Smooth a thin layer of chocolate frosting over the cake layer, and then spoon half of the coconut frosting on top, spreading it into a smooth layer. Leave about 1/2 inch between the filling and edge of cake.

3. Stack the second cake round on top. Smooth chocolate frosting over the entire cake.

4. Spoon remaining coconut frosting on top of the cake.

Recipe Notes

*If baking at high altitude add 3 tablespoons extra flour.

2.0 Counseling: Marriage and Divorce

Germany related marriage counseling: Adjusting after a Divorce

Divorce recovery is a process. Adjusting to changes that occur as a result of a divorce can take time. Part of the process is often the recognition of newly divorced people, whether they initiated the divorce or not, that their lives and the lives of those around them have been profoundly affected by their situation. Worries about financial solvency, employment, or housing may affect them. Stress over losing friends or family members as a result of the divorce can also be difficult to deal with. Additionally, parents may be emotionally overwhelmed by guilt as they consider what effects the divorce may have on their children. Hence, Germanys need to ask help from legal institutions to help them in term of child welfare and care. Besides, legal institutions there really functionally well to help solve this issue.

These issues can often be worked through during the recovery process. An individual in therapy may be more able to discover necessary coping techniques that can help in the establishment of a new life, and the individual may have an easier time developing a healthy perspective on the divorce. Divorce recovery therapy can also often provide people with a safe, encouraging, and empowering experience during what might, for some, be a difficult time. As Germany, this may help them to cope with the law which are really strict in Germany related to marriage.

2.0 Germany: Marriage

Marriage in Germany

When romance meets reality: Organizing their wedding in Germany can cost foreign residents some time and effort, especially for the required paperwork. Our expat guide introduces the legal framework for marriage in Germany.

General Considerations

Generally speaking, getting married in Germany is a short and matter-of-fact affair. The country offers plenty of romantic scenery and beautiful locations for your dream wedding and honeymoon. However, the Federal Foreign Office regards marriage as “a legally binding contract” rather than an act of love. Therefore, it can take some bureaucratic effort.

In Germany, any valid marriage must be performed at the registry office (Standesamt), regardless of whether there’ll be a religious wedding as well. Priests, ministers, rabbis, imams, or consular officers may not perform a legally binding marriage – only an official registrar can do so. If they intend to have a wedding e.g. at your church or synagogue, the civil ceremony at the registry office (Standesamt) must come first. When planning the wedding reception, allow several months to take care of all formalities.

Apart from weddings for heterosexual couples, Germany recognizes same-sex civil unions (Eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaften). While parliament avoided the word “marriage” in the respective law passed in 2001, same-sex partners have to meet the same requirements as bride and groom. They also enjoy many (but not all) of the benefits and obligations applying to heterosexual marriage.

Bureaucratic Impediments

Which documents are required from foreign residents for a legally binding marriage in Germany mostly depends on two things: country of origin and marital status. However, the requirements of the local registry office may differ. Remember to make enquiries at the nearest Standesamt well before the wedding day.

This is only the beginning. All required documents must be translated and be no older than six months. They need to hire a sworn interpreter for the translation or a lawyer to certify it. This can get rather complicated: in a worst-case scenario, their home country requires their presence when issuing the paperwork – simply going to the embassy or consulate won’t do. Try to get as much information as possible before planning the wedding day.

Please remember that German law might be more restrictive when it comes to changing the family name than the home country. They should talk to their registrar well in advance to find out what their options are.

Standard Requirements

• ·       Both partners must be present at the Standesamt.
• ·       Each has to provide a birth certificate.
• ·       Both parties need a passport as well as proof of residence that has been valid for over three weeks.
• ·       A requirement that seems rather peculiar to foreigners is the so-called Ehefähigkeitszeugnis. This certificate states that there are no legal hindrances to your marriage in Germany (e.g. ongoing divorce proceedings). Their embassy can help them obtain this document, but the diplomatic staff often cannot issue it.
• ·       For civil unions, a Ledigkeitszeugnis replaces the Ehefähigkeitszeugnis. This document declares their marital status is single.
• ·       The minimum age for marriage is eighteen. With parental consent, one party may be younger than eighteen, but not younger than sixteen years of age. they might have to consult a family court.
• ·       If they were married before, they need proof that all previous marriages were dissolved, for example they late spouse’s death certificate. A divorce decree, however, might not be sufficient. They need further proof that the decree cannot be contested. This depends on the country where they got divorced.
• ·       They also need two witnesses and – if necessary – an interpreter. Ask the Standesamt if they can provide the latter.
• ·       The civil ceremony usually costs about 100€-200€. However, there may be additional fees during the application process (for having special documents approved, choosing to get married in a different state or a special venue, or for getting a Stammbuch).

Keep in mind that marriage ceremonies at the Standesamt are only performed on weekdays and during opening hours. Some cities make an exception here if they are willing to pay an additional fee or if they decide to get married in a special venue.

Legal Consequences

If they are a foreign national getting married to a German citizen, it can impact their residence status. If they aren’t living in the country yet, they may need to apply for a special visa. Non EU-nationals cannot enter the country on a visitor visa if they are planning to get married in Germany. The required German visa is usually valid for three to six months.

Once they are married to a German national, they are normally entitled to a residence permit. Marrying a German national does not automatically result in German citizenship, though. Depending on their citizenship, they can apply for naturalization later on.

A few other important consequences are listed below. Most of them also apply to same-sex civil unions, but there are some still discriminatory differences, especially with regard to taxation and adoption. For legal advice on same-sex unions, please contact the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency or the LSVD (Lesbian and Gay Organization Germany).

• ·       If a spouse dies, property and pensions are passed on to the widow(er).
• ·       The partners have to support each other financially.
• ·       In case of a divorce, a binding settlement can be demanded.

Divorce

When it comes to recognizing a foreign divorce in Germany or recognizing a German divorce abroad, things get complicated. The institutions strongly recommend them to ask a lawyer specializing in family law.

If they got married in Germany and want to keep living there, the easiest and most pragmatic solution is getting a divorce there as well. If both parties agree to the divorce, they have to be separated for at least one year before the divorce is finalized. If one partner opposes, the law usually requires three years of separation.

1.0 Germany: Background and Culture

Germans 

Germans (German: Deutsche) are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe, who share a common German ancestry, culture and history. German is the shared mother tongue of a substantial majority of ethnic Germans.

The English term Germans has historically referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages. Before the collapse of communism and the reunification of Germany in 1990, Germans constituted the largest divided nation in Europe by far. Ever since the outbreak of the Protestant Reformation within the Holy Roman Empire, German society has been characterized by a Catholic-Protestant divide.

Of approximately 100 million native speakers of German in the world, roughly 80 million consider themselves Germans. There are an additional 80 million people of German ancestry mainly in the United States, Brazil (mainly in the South Region of the country), Argentina, Canada, South Africa, the post-Soviet states (mainly in Russia and Kazakhstan), and France, each accounting for at least 1 million. Thus, the total number of Germans lies somewhere between 100 and more than 150 million, depending on the criteria applied (native speakers, single-ancestry ethnic Germans, partial German ancestry, etc.).

Today, people from countries with German-speaking majorities (such as Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and other historically-tied countries like Luxembourg) most often subscribe to their own national identities and may or may not also self-identify as ethnically German.

Culture of Germany

German culture has spanned the entire German-speaking world. From its roots, culture in Germany has been shaped by major intellectual and popular currents in Europe, both religious and secular. Historically, Germany has been called Das Land der Dichter und Denker (the country of poets and thinkers).

There are a number of public holidays in Germany. The country is particularly known for its traditional Oktoberfest celebrations in Munich, its carnival culture and globally influential Christmas customs known as Weihnachten. 3 October has been the national day of Germany since 1990, celebrated as the German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit). The UNESCO inscribed 38 properties in Germany on the World Heritage List.

Germany was the world's second most respected nation among 50 countries in 2013. A global opinion poll for the BBC revealed that Germany is recognized for having the most positive influence in the world in 2011, 2013, and 2014.

Cite from:

Culture of Germany. (2018, February 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:20, February 15, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Culture_of_Germany&oldid=825675451

Germans. (2018, February 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:21, February 17, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Germans&oldid=826100021

1.1 Counseling: What is means by Cross-Cultural Counseling

Cross-Cultural Counseling Psychology

Cross-cultural psychology is the study of similarities and differences in individual psychological functioning in various cultural and ethnic groups, as well as the relationships between psychological variables and sociocultural, ecological, and biological variables. Cross-cultural psychology regards culture as essential to psychological functioning, as an integral context for psychological development and behavior.

Cross-cultural psychology consists mainly of diverse forms of comparative research so as to discern various distinct cultural factors—many of which are related to ethnicity—that are relevant to forms of development and behavior. Cross-cultural research typically seeks evidence of how culture can be taken as a set of variables, independent or contextual, that affect various aspects of individual behavior.

Counseling

It is becoming increasingly common, all over the world, for counselors to come from cultures that differ from those of their clients, thus rendering cross-cultural counseling a challenging task. When other cultures and worldviews enter the picture, the situation can turn dauntingly complex.

Two aspects of cross-cultural research that are highly relevant to counseling are cross-cultural emphasis and intercultural focus. Pedersen specifies that cross-cultural counseling pays attention to qualitative differences across cultures and interculturally focused counseling work with ethnic and racial groups within a culture-pluralistic society. Despite different emphases, however, both aspects share many similar principles, including the necessity of cultural knowledge and sensitivity and understanding the crucial role culture plays in an individual’s life.

In cross-cultural counseling, culturally sensitive diagnosis and treatment in counseling are essential, as based on the following factors. The counselor must be aware both of what is usually done in the clients’ culture to resolve their presenting problems and of usual treatment in the counselor’s own culture. In addition, the counselor must also be aware of how well the clients are acculturated to their host culture. If the clients are fairly well acculturated, counselors can feel more comfortable in designing a treatment plan similar to their usual design for native clients. If the clients have recently arrived from other cultures, counselors may want to consider how to temper the treatment plan with supplements familiar to the clients. The clients must be willing to accommodate the proposed supplements. Stay tuned for the next entry!

Cited from Cross-Cultural Counseling Psychology. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/cross-cultural-psychology/cross-cultural-counseling-psychology/

References:

1. Berry, J. W., Poortinga, Y. H., & Pandey, J. (Eds.). (1997). Handbook of cross-cultural psychology. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
2. Boesch, E. E. (1996). The seven flaws of cross-cultural psychology: The story of a conversion. Mind, Culture, and Activity, 3, 2-10.
3. Greenfield, P. M. (1997). You can’t take it with you: Testing across cultures. American Psychologist, 52, 1115-1124.
4. Herskovits, M. J. (1948). Man and his works: The science of cultural anthropology. New York: Knopf.
5. Jahoda, G. (1986). A cross-cultural perspective on developmental psychology. International Journal of Behavior and Development, 9, 417—137.
6. Matsumoto, D. (Ed.). (2001). Handbook of culture and psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.
7. Pedersen, P. B. (2000). A handbook for developing multicultural awareness. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
8. Pike, K. L. (1967). Language in relation to a united theory of the structure of human behavior. The Hague, the Netherlands: Mutton.
9. Ratner, C. (2002). Cultural psychology: Theory and method. New York: Plenum.
10. Rothbaum, F., Weisz, J., Pott, M., Miyake, K., & Morelli, G. (2000). Attachment and culture: Security in the United States and Japan. American Psychologist, 55, 1093-1104.
11. Segall, M. H., Lonner, W. J., & Berry, J. W. (1998). Cross-cultural psychology as a scholarly discipline. American Psychologist, 53, 1101-1110.
12. Shiraev, E., & Levy, D. (2004). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson.

1.0 Counseling: Culture and general about culture

What Is Culture? | Definition of Culture

Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.

According to the Center for Advance Research on Language Acquisition goes a step further, defining culture as shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understanding that are learned by socialization. Thus, it can be seen as the growth of a group identity fostered by social patterns unique to the group. 

"Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things," Cristina De Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate College in London, told Live Science.

The word "culture" derives from a French term, which in turn derives from the Latin "colere," which means to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation and nurture. "It shares its etymology with a number of other words related to actively fostering growth," De Rossi said.

Western culture

The term "Western culture" has come to define the culture of European countries as well as those that have been heavily influenced by European immigration, such as the United States, according to Khan University. Western culture has its roots in the Classical Period of the Greco-Roman era and the rise of Christianity in the 14th century.

Other drivers of Western culture include Latin, Celtic, Germanic and Hellenic ethnic and linguistic groups. Today, the influences of Western culture can be seen in almost every country in the world.

Eastern culture

Eastern culture generally refers to the societal norms of countries in Far East Asia (including China, Japan, Vietnam, North Korea and South Korea) and the Indian subcontinent. Like the West, Eastern culture was heavily influenced by religion during its early development, but it was also heavily influenced by the growth and harvesting of rice, according to the book "Pathways to Asian Civilizations: Tracing the Origins and Spread of Rice and Rice Cultures" by Dorian Q. Fuller. In general, in Eastern culture there is less of a distinction between secular society and religious philosophy than there is in the West.

Latin culture

Many of the Spanish-speaking nations are considered part of the Latin culture, while the geographic region is widespread. Latin America is typically defined as those parts of the Central America, South America and Mexico where Spanish or Portuguese are the dominant languages. Originally, the term "Latin America" was used by French geographers to differentiate between Anglo and Romance (Latin-based) languages, according to the University of Texas. While Spain and Portugal are on the European continent, they are considered the key influences of what is known as Latin culture, which denotes people using languages derived from Latin, also known as Romance languages.

Middle Eastern culture

The countries of the Middle East have some but not all things in common. This is not a surprise, since the area consists of approximately 20 countries, according to PBS. The Arabic language is one thing that is common throughout the region; however, the wide variety of dialect can sometimes make communication difficult. Religion is another cultural area that the countries of the Middle East have in common. The Middle East is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

African culture

The continent of Africa is essential to all cultures. Human life originated on this continent and began to migrate to other areas of the world around 60,000 years ago, according to the Natural History Museum in London. Other researchers, like those from Estonian Biocentre in Tartu, believe that the first migration may have been much earlier, as early as 120,000 years ago. Researchers come to these conclusions by studying human genomes from various cultures to trace their DNA to common ancestors. Fossil records also factor into some of these theories. 

Africa is home to a number of tribes, ethnic and social groups. One of the key features of this culture is the large number of ethnic groups throughout the 54 countries on the continent. Nigeria alone has more than 300 tribes, for example.

Currently, Africa is divided into two cultural groups: North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. This is because Northwest Africa has strong ties to Middle East, while Sub-Saharan Africa shares historical, physical and social characteristics that are very different from North Africa, according to the University of Colorado. The harsh environment has been a large factor in the development of Sub-Saharan Africa culture, as there are a number of languages, cuisines, art and musical styles that have sprung up among the far-flung populations.

Constant change

No matter what culture a people are a part of, one thing is for certain, it will change. "Culture appears to have become key in our interconnected world, which is made up of so many ethnically diverse societies, but also riddled by conflicts associated with religion, ethnicity, ethical beliefs, and, essentially, the elements which make up culture," De Rossi said. "But culture is no longer fixed, if it ever was. It is essentially fluid and constantly in motion." This makes it so that it is difficult to define any culture in only one way.

While change is inevitable, the past should also be respected and preserved. The United Nations has created a group called The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to identify cultural and natural heritage and to conserve and protect it. Monuments, building and sites are covered by the group's protection, according to the international treaty, the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. This treaty was adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

 Cite from Zimmermann, K. A. (2017, July 12). What Is Culture? | Definition of Culture. Retrieved, from https://www.livescience.com/21478-what-is-culture-definition-of-culture.html

Tips to Become Happier and Healthier Life

10 tips for a happier, healthier life

1 Eat ‘primarily’ Common sense dictates that the best diet is one based on foods we’ve been eating the longest in terms of our time on this planet. These are the foods that we’ve evolved to eat and are best adapted to. Studies show that a ‘primal’ diet made up of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, as well as meat, fish and eggs, is best for weight control and improvement in risk markers for illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes. This ‘go primal’ food philosophy will enable you to cut through the marketing hype and dietary misinformation, and allow you to make healthy food choices quickly and confidently.

2 Keep hydrated Water makes up two-thirds of the body and performs a plethora of functions, including acting as a solvent, carrier of nutrients, temperature regulator and body detoxify. Maintaining hydration can have a profound influence on our vitality and energy levels, including mental alertness. Aim to drink enough water to keep your urine a pale yellow colour throughout the course of the day.

3 Eat mindfully In our fast-paced world, there can be a tendency to eat while distracted and shovel in more food than we need and, at the same time, miss out on culinary pleasure. Many of us will benefit from eating mindfully. Some things to think about here are avoiding eating when distracted, eating more slowly, and taking time to taste food properly. One particular thing to focus on is chewing your food thoroughly – not only does this help us savor food, it also assists the digestive process.

4 Get plenty of sunlight in the summer… Sunlight, and the vitamin D this can make in the skin, is associated with a wide spectrum of benefits for the body including a reduced risk of several forms of cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis, as well as improved immune function. As a rule of thumb, vitamin D is made when our shadow is shorter than our body length, ie when the sun is high in the sky. While burning is to be avoided, get as much sunlight exposure as possible for optimal health.

5… and in the winter Low levels of sunlight in the winter can cause our mood to darken. Even when it’s cold outside, it pays to get some external light exposure in the winter, say during lunchtime. Another option is to invest in a sunlight-simulating device and use this daily from October through to March.

6 Get enough sleep Sleep has the ability to optimize mental and physical energy, and optimal levels of sleep (about eight hours a night) are linked with reduced risk of chronic disease and improved longevity. One simple strategy that can help ensure you get optimal amounts of sleep is to go to bed earlier. Getting into bed by 10 pm or 10.30 pm is a potentially useful investment in terms of your short- and long-term health and well being. Shutting down the computer or turning off the TV early in the evening is often all it takes to create the time and space for earlier sleep.

7 Walk regularly Aerobic exercise, including something as uncomplicated and low-impact as walking, is associated with a variety of benefits for the body and the brain, including a reduced risk of chronic diseases, anti-anxiety and mood-enhancing effects. Aim for a total of about 30 minutes of brisk walking every day.

8 Engage in some resistance exercise Resistance exercise helps to maintain muscle mass and strengthens the body. This has particular relevance as we age, as it reduces the risk of disability and falls. Many highly useful exercises can be done at home, such as press-ups, sit-ups and squats. Invest in a Dyna-Band or dumbbells to extend your home routine to other exercises, too.

9 Practice random acts of kindness Random acts of kindness are good for givers and receivers alike. It could be a quick call or text to someone you care about or have lost touch with, or showing a fellow motorist some consideration, or giving up your seat on a train or bus, or buying someone lunch or giving a spontaneous bunch of flowers.

10 Practice the art of appreciation Modern-day living tends to be inspirational and we can easily find ourselves chasing an ever-growing list of goals, many of which can be material. Some of us could do with spending more time focusing not on what we don’t have, but on what we do. Our mood can be lifted by giving thanks for anything from our friends and family to a beautiful landscape or sunset. 

cite from, A. (2014, November 10). 10 tips for a happier, healthier life. Retrieved from https://www.psychologies.co.uk/body/10-tips-for-a-happier-healthier-life.html

Who am I?

Bachelor in Education, Majoring in Guidance and Counseling, Minor in Moral Education