Home Economics.

It seems there never is "enough time" to get our meals prepared correctly to get the proper nutrients that our bodies need. However, it is possible to make sensible healthy meals in just a few minutes. The first thing(s) I emphasize as a must have in every kitchen is glassware not plastic tupperware. From water bottles to the lining of food tins, the chemical BPA is present in most plastics. BPA is what’s known as a suspected endocrine disruptor this basically means it can mimic the body’s hormone system and potentially create reproductive health problems, with possible links to cancer. So, people add some class and get some glass!
The whole idea in having glassware is so that you can prepare food and store it for a couple of days. How great would it be to actually still enjoy a healthy meal that you know how, when and who prepared it. Having enough food prepared for a couple of days can save you money ( for some glassware!) In comparison to eating out on a day to day basis which can drain your wallet, lead to poor eating choices and sometimes not worth the experience.

Eating healthy does not have to be a challenge and does not need to be costly. There is a difference between eating and being hungry. Try to start your day with breakfast in your stomach. It is definitely the most important meal of the day and gets the wheels turning. Limit your meals to three balanced meals. Snack sensibly, drink water, avoid unnecessary salt and sugar as most foods already own these properties naturally, Importantly stay hydrated! The human adult body is made up of 55-60% water. Incorporate some exercise even something as simple as walking is great extender of life! Smile and laugh more it reduces calories and relaxes the muscles of the face.

Even though all foods are important, I have a list of foods that I hold up on a pedestal because of how much our bodies benefit from them. The three main basic vegetables that are easily accessible and affordable year round are collard greens, red onions, and tomatoes. All vegetables are good for you unless of course you have allergic reactions or simply just do not like the taste. In those instances you can find a way to make the vegetables more appealing to your pallet example: use variety of spices and get creative. Remember the more green leafy vegetables you eat the better!


Monday, March 17, 2014

Healing through Food.

When I was a little girl, I remember my Mama would always make a big fuss about meal time. Everything had to be on the table from water pitchers, extra fresh pilipili/ peppers,hot spiced chai, fresh butter from the creamery and always an extra plate just in case a guest showed up. It was nice, everyone had to sit down together and eat. The table was always colorful and the intentional mismatched plates made the food look even more appealing.
I learned everything that I know about  food from my Mama. I remember watching her as she carefully sliced ripe tomatoes into a sizzling pot of oil and onions, it always smelled so good especially when she added the kitungu sumu/ garlic and dania/cilantro. To this day I appreciate that smell it takes me way back. I call it, " The beginning of the story!"

I take my relationship with food seriously, in fact I am in love. When I walk down the street to my favorite food markets I appreciate everything that I see, smell, hear, taste...I am alive, I feel the life here. I also enjoy to people watch and try to guess what the lady in a lavender dress is going to reach for, the avocado or the pistachios? And if the little girl straying away from her Mama is going to pick the yellow bananas or green apples. I love open air markets the most especially the ones that have variety of ethnic foods, that is where the gold is, the healing begins here.

Today I am looking for some plantains. I am thinking to myself, ' I cannot believe she has never had plantains!' I am referring to my neighbor she is a great girl, big personality and she loves to try new food and she has never tried plantains!!! I am excited about this because most people I know love them, as do I. The secret to picking the right plantain is to make sure it is big enough first of all and secondly if it is not ripe you can always take it home and get it ripe in a few days. Simply place them in a brown bag and put them inside a cupboard. That is an old trick that I learned and it works not just for plantains but for most fruits and vegetables such as avocados and mangoes, which I also pick up on this market trip, after all they are in season and they go really well with cayenne pepper and a little bit of salt drizzled on the top. I get home and eagerly get dinner ready. The plantain I picked is perfect! I prepare some basmati rice, cook some curry chicken and finally fry up the plantain.

 My neighbor comes by for dinner and her face lights up as soon as she has the first bite of her plantain..."This is SO GOOD!" she blurts out and stuffs her mouth again. This makes me happy!

Next morning I drive my bus to the fish monger and butcher. This particular one is great! There is also ample parking which is always a plus and they always have great meats. It is family owned and they always have what I need including oxtail, salmon fish heads and juicy beef neck bones for a hearty soup. Personally, I love the smell of fresh fish, some people cannot bear it! Fish tastes so good no matter how you prepare it just make sure you know what you are doing and be careful with the fish bones. If you happen to get one caught in your throat while eating, first stay calm and don't panic. But remember, if there is bleeding and the pain is unbearable a doctor’s advice is the best way. But if things are under control, there are some effective methods that I suggest like using "solid food" to get rid of it. The "solid food" generally is a small ball shaped boiled rice, ugali, banana or bread. This will cause the fish bone to get struck with the solid food and then it moves down to your stomach. And of course this “old wives tale” where people drink orange juice or lemon juice to remove the fish bone. The citric acid is believed to do the same trick of softening the bone. But do not forget to drink a glass of water after that.

As a child my Mama would always take us to the fish monger and market after our hair got braided. In my country (Kenya) the outdoor market has everything, literally...a one stop shop. You can get your hair done, after that you can get your meats,  fresh vegetables, second hand clothes, custom shoes from a cobbler, custom clothes from a tailor, music, movies you name it the market has got it! The relationship with the vendors was always amusing to me. My Mama would have her favorite vendors that she went to like the "Fish Lady", Mama would always say as she parked her car miles it seemed down the uneven road,"I need to hurry or else I will miss out on all the good fish from the Fish Lady. She knows that I come around this time, you would think she can do me the favor of setting some aside just for me, after all I have been her customer for years!" This lament went on for years and she still frequented that fish stall irrespective. The fish anyway was always good.

Love your body and treat it right as it is the only one you have. Celebrate your meals, it is your medicine it sustains you. Buy a fun apron, "Kiss The Cook" and enjoy your home and kitchen. Remember to dress up your food and enjoy your life. Get to know your local vendors name when you are at the market. Always treat yourself to fresh organic produce, food and positive conversation. You are worth it.  If it looks and smells good you can probably eat it!

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LOVE AND LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.