Monday, March 26, 2018

Exploring Lisbon’s Belem District


Massachusetts-based educator Naomi Tetherly most recently served as the special education director and academic enhancement coordinator at Robert M. Hughes Academy, a public charter school in Springfield. Aside from her professional endeavors, Naomi Tetherly enjoys traveling around the world to destinations including India, Japan, and Portugal.

Portugal, located in southwestern Europe on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the oldest nations in Europe. With a rich tradition that includes the Age of Exploration, the country is becoming a popular destination for tourists. Belem, a neighborhood and cultural center within the capital of Lisbon, was once the departure point for explorers setting out for the New World. 

Visitors to Lisbon can easily spend a day exploring the sites of Belem, and several museums highlight the district. In addition to the Museu dos Coches, which features a large collection of European horse drawn carriages, a stop can be made at the Museu de Marinha, a naval museum dedicated to the country’s maritime history. The MAAT, a museum dedicated to art, technology, and architecture, is also located in Belem.

Several monuments can be found in Belem. Most notably, travelers can visit the Belem Tower, which once served as a first line of defense for the city against attacks from the sea. The magnificent Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Discoveries Monument) honors Portugal’s role during the Age of Exploration. Featuring explorers on one side and the financiers of their expeditions on the other, the monument is a fitting display of the country’s notable contributions to exploration and discovery.

Visitors to Belem can also tour the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, one of Europe’s most extravagant monasteries. 

Belem can easily be explored independently and on foot. Within a day or two, visitors can see the monuments, explore the museums, and experience views of the waterfront from the comfort of a cafe or restaurant.

Monday, March 12, 2018

The Scenic and UNESCO World Heritage Assets of the Azores


Naomi Tetherly is a respected presence in the Massachusetts educational community and currently teaches with East Longmeadow Public Schools. An avid traveler, Naomi Tetherly has traveled throughout Asia and Europe, and also had the opportunity to visit the Portuguese autonomous region in the mid-Atlantic, the Azores

First colonized by Portugal in the 15th century, the nine subtropical islands that make up the Azores feature a combination of small villages and rugged volcanic peaks. Highlights include Pico Island, which features a combination of verdant vineyards and a 7,700-foot peak that represents the highest mountain in Portugal. 

A cultural highlight for many is the town of Angra do Heroísmo, which was a port of call for nearly all trans-Atlantic voyages until the steamship became prevalent in the late 19th century. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town contains the San João Baptista and San Sebastião fortifications, which date back 400 years and are uniquely well-preserved examples of 16th-century military architecture. Angra also offers a central zone rich in religious structures including the Baroque convents of the Franciscans and Jesuits, and the Santíssimo Salvador da Sé cathedral.

Sunday, March 4, 2018

The Ins and Outs of a Fruitarian Diet


Naomi Tetherly is a Massachusetts educator who has held positions such as special education director with a charter public school in Springfield. Health conscious with a passion for running, Naomi Tetherly follows.a diet that is vegetarian and emphasizes fruits. She has an interest in fruitarian diets that consist mostly of raw fruits.

A fruitarian diet is generally defined as one that consists of at least 50 percent fruits. This reflects the abundance of antioxidants, including beta-carotene and vitamin C, in fruits, which assist in detoxing and weight loss. At the same time, seeds and nuts are often consumed within such a diet for protein. This makes up for fruits' lack of protein, calcium, iron, and essential fatty acids such as B12. 

As recommended by the Fruitarian Foundation, the everyday combination of fruits that provides maximum impact includes banana, ripe avocado, coconut, olives, and lemon juice. The recommended fruitarian diet also incorporates pine nuts, almonds, chestnuts, cashews, and hazelnuts.