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From handshakes and toasts to chant and genuflection, ritual pervades our social interactions and religious practices. Still, few of us could identify all of our daily and festal ritual behaviors, much less explain them to an outsider. Similarly, because of the variety of activities that qualify as ritual and their many contradictory yet, in many ways, equally legitimate interpretations, ritual seems to elude any systematic historical and comparative scrutiny. In this book, Catherine Bell offers a practical introduction to ritual practice and its study; she surveys the most influential theories of religion and ritual, the major categories of ritual activity, and the key debates that have shaped our understanding of ritualism. Bell refuses to nail down ritual with any one definition or understanding. Instead, her purpose is to reveal how definitions emerge and evolve and to help us become more familiar with the interplay of tradition, exigency, and self-expression that goes into constructing this complex social medium.

Catherine Bell provides a practical introduction to ritual and its study with comprehensive overviews of the most influential theories of religion and ritual. The book examines the major categories of ritual activity.

One of the greatest pleasures of life is providing good food as a focus for getting together with friends & family. Entertaining Epicurean is the ideal stimulus, inspiration & resource for such occassions.Based on classes at Epicurean Workshop, this collection of favorite recipes from the many that have been presented by Catherine Bell & a range of talented chefs both local & international, celebrates all that is good about food, not just the preparation but also the sharing & the eating of it. This selection of over 130 recipes is based on simplicity, ease of presentation, availability of ingredients & versatility.The themes are designed to encourage the home cook to think seasonally, to try new ingredients, or a different style of entertaining. They include: Brunch, Al Fresco, Weekend in the Country, Long Lunch, Barbecue, Elegant Lunch, Summer Buffet, Cocktail Party, Asian Feast, Casual Winter Dining, Elegant Winter Dining, Spur of the Moment.

Inspired by 'Gourmet on the Run', Everyday Epicurean is mouthwatering collection of over 140 recipes that brings together the best and freshest seasonal produce New Zealand has to offer. Incorporating a variety of styles and cuisines and combining new ingredients with tried and tested favourites, Everyday Epicurean encourages the home cook to be more spontaneous, and to see food and its preparation as something to be enjoyed. Presented here is fresh, flavourful food that doesn't need hours of preparation, with ingredients that run the gamut of the seasons.Everyday Epicurean contains recipes for every palate and occasion, from small bites to one dish meals and scrumptious desserts. There is a section on basic equipment and a glossary that incorporates basic recipes as well as more detailed cooking methods and techniques.

Ritual studies today figures as a central element of religious discourse for many scholars around the world. Ritual Theory, Ritual Practice, Catherine Bell's sweeping and seminal work on the subject, helped legitimize the field. In this volume, Bell re-examines the issues, methods, and ramifications of our interest in ritual by concentrating on anthropology, sociology, and the history of religions. Now with a new foreword by Diane Jonte-Pace, Bell's work is a must-read for understanding the evolution of the field of ritual studies and its current state.

Written in journal format, this book captures the surprises, joys, and woes of a music teacher's first hectic year.