tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1405843049955939442024-03-13T09:36:20.580-07:00Food WitnessDear food, I see you! I see what you're doing...Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-92084774260703541972022-02-20T12:19:00.001-08:002022-02-20T12:24:55.113-08:00EQUALLY UNEQUALThey call it fast food, I call it a saviour on that rare day, with a quick fix when there's nothing else to eat in the scary dark hour. <div><br><div>They call it unhealthy food, I call it the one that brings the yin to the yang, keeping you realist and safely tucked away from extremism.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><i>But goodness me! This should be for atleast two people! </i></div><div><br></div><div>They call it junk food, I call it the one that opens our eyes to appreciate how golden natural nutritious food was designed to make us feel. </div><div><br></div><div>The way spaghetti saved my hungry soul tonight just reminded me of how all foods are equal, don't judge them too harshly but remember too, that some foods will always be more equal than others.</div></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-64655084835746038512022-02-13T11:56:00.001-08:002022-02-14T22:37:03.787-08:00WHERE'S YOUR BOYFRIEND?!"Valentine's is coming, where's your boyfriend/ girlfriend?" For a few years now, this being year 2022, the above statement is the theme song chorus, when Valentine's day is fast approaching. It makes it seem like if you have no companion/ lover, then you have a big fail in life, under your belt. It's as if to say, romantic love is the almighty standard for completeness, a matter of life and death, another pre-requisite of society for you to be seen as independent (the irony!). <div><br></div><div>The quest for independence has gotten many stressed and pushed over to depressed. An appreciation of monks and nuns shows us beyond doubt that we fuss way too much. These good fellas focus on the bare minimum needs of life and see where that's gotten them! Peace, tranquility always prevails in their world. Independence is freedom! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Might be a huge mountain to climb and attain but really also, a war, up in our heads. Figuring where to even start always seems crazy grande and scary too. Think for a moment, if you have food to eat, good food at that, all day, everyday, would you ever have to stoop to beg at desperacy's bottom? Don't that mean that independence starts at food's bounty? And then not needing hair money for us, the ladies?</div><div>Folks, sort that food first, let's get those basics in and get more grateful as we reach for the top. </div><div>As you can see by now, no Valentine's? No problem! No food, big problem!!</div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-58291695762182729582022-02-06T11:12:00.001-08:002022-02-06T11:12:04.642-08:00CHAPATTI and it's friendsIn the amazing country, Uganda, East of the prestigious African continent, beam hills towering over, ever green forest treasures, steaming hot springs and rivers of beautiful mystery flowing through. All are works of God's Midas touch, pulling a glimpse from whoever looks up Uganda. There exists another thing that will literally suck attention out of you, a build of man's hand though, that is in the unique Ugandan street food, the Rolex. <div><br></div><div>You see, the Rolex holds eggs, vegetables like carrots, onions, tomatoes or even cabbage, cooked and wrapped in a chapatti(looks like the lost twin of naan) and has never lost its ground, being a Ugandan darling since it was birthed. What we need to give more credit to though is the founding food of this Rolex, THE CHAPATTI, basically, a round flat food made from a wheat, sugar, salt, butter, water and eggs dough that's then pan fried or deep fried. </div><div><br></div><div>The chapatti, looks thin and so more of harmless. It feels so smooth in the mouth that it's capability to derange our health in our bodies is so doubtable. It pairs up with a multitude of sauces, stews and other foods, it's "combo" options are endless. It's so affordable, it seems to reason with us on our broke days as well as the rich days. It knows no weather, it makes itself findable on a rainy day as much as on a sunny day. The chapatti is tasty that's it's impossible to give a blind eye to. This chappati can do no wrong. </div><div><br></div><div>What is it again they say about if something's too good to be true? It probably isn't, right? The chapatti and it's friends come stealthily into your life and there's no need to worry at this point after all variety is the spice of a balance for health. The chapatti or it's friends will then make way into your home and this is when you need your gaurd up, making sure it's not the master of every ceremony at your table. The chapatti will then invade your home, suffocating thoughts and attempts at other food. By this time chapatti or it's friends would have turned you over to their slavery. Keep your eyes open for chapatti and it's friends.</div><div><br></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-42365595079946244342022-01-30T11:40:00.000-08:002022-02-06T10:20:56.192-08:00NOTHING WITHOUT REMINDERS A hunger that bites, <div>A hunger that no one is capable of explaining,</div><div>A hunger that just sits there, motionless,</div><div>A hunger that takes more than a 24 hour run around the sun,</div><div>A hunger so silent to the external and yet so loud within,</div><div>A hunger so obstinate, eating regular is but a waste of time.</div><div>You haven't really felt a hunger until this quiet and yet strong one. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>I moved in circles around the kitchen the past week, eating this and that, sweet and sour, hot and cold, crunchy and soupy, light and heavy, bland and spicy. Nothing quite treated the sickness within, the deeper craving, the missing link. Five days later and I am starting to feel satisfied finally, what finally landed me there?! A day of some yam, corn flour meal, peas, goat's meat plus a cocktail of watermelon, passion fruits and orange juices, majorly stuff I hadn't partaken of in a while. </div><div><br></div><div>I believe hidden naughty hunger is our reminder to eat in variety, beautiful beings.</div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-85087031067589719962022-01-23T11:37:00.000-08:002022-01-23T11:37:36.456-08:00SMILES AGAIN<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div>Uh, life can be such a twist! For someone who used to be the life of and at every party, to someone who now barely attends a party. Uh,life can be such a twist! That said, when I am on board to go for one, I am maximumly prepared to enjoy it, no matter the odds and yes, that stands for kids parties too (see how I am preparing you as well, just now?). <div><br></div><div>So I attended this kid's birthday party with the rest of my family over the weekend and it was the simplest, most amazing little union of people. Everyone as themselves, just enough nicely done finger food, a more than gorgeous cake and not too many kids but enough to keep the busy at the house. Now, you know what the contrary can be!! Too many kids that you have a migraine almost as soon as you step into the venue, everyone trying their best to put on their best show, it's so unreal, a cake that looks super duper to the naked eye but is horrible to the naked tongue, too much or too little food all over the place, that flies or dry lips face you on every side. Anyway all I am trying to say I guess is the simple things make the heart truly merry. </div><div><br></div><div>Now, cake time approached and we were all smiles, everyone was served by the adorable birthday girl and we were even more smily at this point. Someone then mentioned how a second serving was in order with a cake like this and our lovely hostess, side eyed me and subtly said, "our nutritionist over here wouldn't agree to that." <br><div>I quickly let myself out of the mix by saying, "it's a birthday guys, can we enjoy it?" I should say everyone's by now, frozen faces quickly lit up and there were those smiles again. </div><div><br></div><div>Once again, it validated the realisation that people associate suffering to reward, achieving, righteousness or perfection. In actuality, however, isn't sustainance, consistence and a steady balance the answer to running and lasting the marathon of whatever your dream or goal might be? Come on, let's get a smile again to that?</div><div><br></div></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-32664408761064026642022-01-16T10:10:00.001-08:002022-01-16T10:10:15.782-08:00LITTLE STAR AND BIG STARI seem to be on the parent craze with my writing lately! It is what it is, we have to enjoy every present moment and phase of life we are gifted with. The offended, kindly take a seat. <div>Looking back on the life of my late precious mother and that of my awesome father, I see a life where they made huge sacrifices so their children can be in a better place and the awkward thing is we barely noticed the better place as kids when we were busy comparing ourselves to our peers. Our parents often ghosted themselves, not merely putting their needs at the back seat but even completely scrapping them out of their mind because everything that now defined them was the kids. Its not a rare happening to see for so many parents out there, starving so their kids can eat, buying their kids the top quality food and taking the under cuts for themselves, carving out a super food menu for their kids and then themselves, eating whatever they happen to pounce on. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>I was making a smoothie for my little star one day and as I was pouring his kiddy cup with the blend of some peanut butter, yoghurt, banana and honey to the brim, I realised this was an excellently nutritious snack, one that would bring a little bit of paradise for the body and here I was focussing only on the little star, yet I equally needed that magic, I quickly slapped my head back to sense and pulled another cup for me this time. I remembered, I was human too, my body was in need too. Now, when it's snack time, whether I am going to have just a teaspoonful of whatever we are making, I am having some of that too. Normalise valuing your needs alongside those of your loved ones, guys. </div><div><br></div><div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-35548480808424177142022-01-14T10:46:00.000-08:002022-01-14T10:46:05.026-08:00DISCOVER SOME! GROW EVEN MORE!"Be yourself, everyone else is taken." I love that quote! More skin glow to the one that handed it to us. Keeping it you, but deliberately choosing to power up the better side of you each day despite the ongoings in and around you is my perception of true growth. Well now, I am remembering a one Home Economics lesson I attended, where growth was a matter of size. Development, on the other hand, was tagged as a matter of enhancement of what already was. Maybe what we are really talking about here then, is development rather than growth.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br><div><br></div><div>The other day, my 4 year old son, saw a pawpaw lying on the ground, quite beaten by those beautiful birds, it had gotten too heavy for the fruit stem to hold, so it just gave way. He brought it in house and told us, he had brought some food home from the garden for us to eat!! What!! I was so proud of how a budding human was able to integrate senses of self care, selflessness and responsibility, all at once. </div></div><div><br></div><div>A few days later, I was sorting clothes for wash day in the laundry room and at this time, a soft spoken little human shows face before me and asks, "mummy, are you hungry?" Inquisitive to see what would happen next, I replied, "yes, I am actually."</div><div>Moments later, someone who had magically vanished from what I thought was our ongoing conversation, brought me a plate holding two slices of bread and a tumbler half full of soda. I tell you, I stopped the sorting, just gave him a tight hug for a bit and a teary eyed "thank you." This little ninja was infact no so little by heart and mind anymore! He had started to understand the Golden rule of any relationship on Earth, "there should be something to give and something to be given!" Watching me constantly give him, his meals, in this case, I guess he wondered, shouldn't he also be giving mummy her meals too?</div><div><br></div><div>To see actions that are outbursts of a clearly active and well oiled emotional and psychological train made me realise just how influenceable our environments make us, the people we talk to, the way they feed themselves and others, the care they give and the energy they exude. As we discipline and rebuke the little ones, maybe sometimes, just letting them discover themselves through our life's example and the mystery of the world outside our four walls is a big part of helping them develop into that fine young man that can hold his own and be a change maker in a world bleeding with a need for so much change or rather reversal. </div><div><br></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-60736730132341893672022-01-04T09:01:00.000-08:002022-01-04T09:33:37.450-08:00REFLECTIONS WITH A WINK<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div>If you were to ask me what the most important advice I would give my younger self would be, I would say, to relax and keep your eyes open, you will learn all the relevant things in due time(wink). <div><br></div><div>I feel like I am on a roll these days in the kitchen, the herbs all come together in a burst of aroma, then into flavour, the salt added to each meal no longer needs the measuring spoon's assistance, it is salt of the naked eye(wink). The soup's thickness let's you eat with the eye, way before the food touches your mouth palette, talk about an appetizer(wink)! The tomatoes succumb, no longer forming rebellions against my meal plans but pouring out their juice to let for a sumptuous presentation at the table. </div><div><br></div><div>Watching those that came before us, put food before us to dine, was remarkable, their meals would keep you feeling like you must have done something right to be in food Heaven although simultaneously leaving you worrysome about whether you could ever reach that pedestal in this lifetime and cook so marvelously. Coming from a family of bland food eaters, I wondered how my mother made so much from so little. That only made things, one more fear higher for me. </div><div><br></div><div>One day, life had happened in the blink of an eye and I was suddenly a wife(don't even remember how being a fiance felt), I became a mother, wooo!! I remember once putting cucumber in a fish stew, to try and add twist to the meal, that semi-quinine taste has never left my memory! But you see, it is those try outs, observing and re-dos that got us to the roll that my people and I, can now call "experiencing food" rather than an eating nightmare. I put my back into the cooking and you can feel their love in the eating. I am sure that's what they call a, "win-win!(wink)"</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><i>The family's favourite, natural turmeric and cinnamon rice😋</i></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>If you have time, time will be generous to you with experience. So really, yours is to take it easy, no fussing, just seeing, feeling, listening and noting. Meanwhile, I think I just took yours and my time here to say, stay teachable(wink).<br></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-38751318024359521492022-01-01T12:57:00.001-08:002022-01-01T12:57:01.911-08:00BIGGEST LEAP IN A LONG TIMEI thought I would write one final 2021 blog before leaping into two zero two two but clearly the leaping was more important! It really hasn't been an easy past two years for the world. <div>Now here you and I are, a new slot for us in the time machine, 365 whole days to dream, look into and live a life. Talk about privledges, right?! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Since the dream sets the pace for all else, I carve mine out with you, here and now because that power is innate. In my dream, I see a stunning rainbow giving me the hope of greatness ahead. I see more butterflies and ladybirds in the air than I can count, brightening the mood within and the aura around me, any would be distractions turn into mere faded background noise. I hear the birds chirping in melodious harmony, keeping my focus on where the positive corner is, the discovery is everything fascinating. I see a bottomless banquet of nature's way, my favourite litchis, bananas, peaches and watermelons, of course the cluck cluck animals are readying their eggs. Ooo, how have I not mentioned the refreshingly yummy minty leaves and cinnamon barks yet!! It's all there, in a beautiful grass bedded arrangement, I don't yearn for much.</div><div><br></div><div> I smell freshness everywhere, undefiled air, keeping the energy nothing close to dangerous but super uphill. I shock myself with those superior yoga moves, my muscles and bones are agreeing pretty well to sculpt me into these amazingly bomb body frames. Oo la la, dreams are so valid, it's a hopeful, bright, mood lifting, focussed, positive, satisfying, nutritious and active year for me. Would you dare to dream, here and now? That's the magic portion mix that breathes life into our success. </div><div>Amazing new year ahead to us all. Cheers.</div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-47801649620723432372021-10-03T21:45:00.001-07:002021-10-03T21:45:40.873-07:00THE "IT WASN'T ME" GAMEIt's so captivating to see how with aging, a craving to learn and unlearn heightens, opening up to available options is bliss rather than felt as losing, history and the present marry to form your life's manual, reading and listening are power tools. All of us, ultimately looking for growth in it all. So allow me applaud myself and you too hopefully, for a new found love for reading and understanding of what we call, this life.<div><br></div><div>I, not too long ago, read a Chinese proverb somewhere, that said, "one who blames others is nowhere, one who blames himself is half way there and one who blames no one, has arrived." Chinese might be a big bunch of duplicators for many things but another thing they definitely are, is wise. Maybe because they sacredly keep their traditions and teachings passed on to the generations that come or maybe they duplicated these quotes from another people, who knows?! </div><div><br></div><div>A lot of women especially the mothers today are trapped in a strong web by society's roles for them, what everyone expects of you becomes primary to what you want or need for yourself. It's others first and then you, just maybe. Our minds have been so far gone into this doctrine, we just see no way to save ourselves from the drowning. We know not any other way so we stick with it. But eventually, it always ends the same, another sad and miserable woman's life lived, some more dreams and world changing forces that could have been, going down the drain. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>It's easy and wouldn't be wrong to blame the world for restraining us from so many things we could be or do but that only gets you nowhere as depicted by the Chinese people. Our power lies in turning from blame into a positive mental space, a space to think solutions, a space to build attitudes that remind you of who you are meant to be. Any struggling woman out there, kids, no kids, doesn't matter, keep this question lingering at the base of your mind for whatever you will do, "what if I were a single mum, what would I do?"</div><div>That takes the weakness of total dependancy to a whole new realm of power to give your own fight, YOUR ALL.</div><div><br></div><div>Of all the people that walk this Earth, single mothers go beyond what was thought possible and make homes and mostly successful humans out of what was meant to be doom. Their fight and strength is like no other, we are so proud of them. So step out of what's been decided for you or only what's given and fight for the best for you, your children, your dreams, like there was no one else left in this world to put food at your table. Always remember, it's no one's fault and you have a greater duty.<br></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-47911108749547352272021-09-30T20:06:00.000-07:002021-09-30T20:06:07.748-07:00WHO'S INCOMING?In an ideal world, which we all should be ashamed, if we are not laying our brick towards it, the availability of food for all, should be a right, punishable by law if tampered with. In that world to come, hopefully "soon and very soon," as the iconic Brenda Fassie said, to eat or not to eat would not be a question or just a dream. The way a blessing as this becomes a mother to a string of questions is what gets interesting.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><b><i>Good food culture takes us far in this beautiful life..</i></b><br><div><br></div><div>So you will definitely eat but was this food nurtured or manufactured? If it was nurtured, did it get it's first builders, more from nature or chemistry lab fanatics? If it was manufactured, were other safe food passionates invited to the round table or was it simply concocted from the mind of a man with a dream and no vision? If other safe food passionates were invited, did they follow protocol with you, the actual eater, at the end of the chain in mind or they used the bypass, with only their pockets in mind? If the food was simply concocted from merely a dreamer's mind, do you want to associate yourself with this kind of value set? If the safe food passionates followed protocol and chose you over money, are you choosing them back? If the safe food passionates used the bypass, is that the league under which your mouth should sit or deserve? Just how sacred is your mouth, the entry point to where all life begins and ends?</div><div><br></div><div>I have been consulting for a project lately for the formulation of a food product meant to heighten some of the many divides of body health. The impressive fact that the potential food manufacturer sought out a hand from a nutrition personnel implied how serious he takes the aspect of matching food to our bodies in a positively impactful way. I laid the burden on him to do a series of food tasting trials for this "would be product." Now for the ultimate tasters, it's an exciting adventure to take on for a day or two but for the person running the tests, a drain, would best describe it. This gentleman though, has been so compliant with my needs so I can accommodate his eventually. That's the understanding that food needs. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Food that is bound to satisfy the needs of the body beyond what we see and taste, even as far as the type of hair on your kid's head or the average weight of their body, has to have integrity!</div><div><div>Now, step out of the ideal world thought, because even in the world we have been dealth with today, you still have to ask the questions here, "who have you allowed into your mouth?" Who's the incoming?<br></div></div></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-5537303861715619632021-09-19T19:57:00.000-07:002021-09-19T19:57:42.499-07:00STARING INTO THE ENDLINE..What if we had the chance to see into the future? To know what would ultimately become of us? What our endline would be? Would we press on more and fire up on all our cylinders to make or break what was visualised? <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br><div> </div><div>I was watching a series a while back that was acted for an era when the deadly HIV/AIDS had just bombed the face of the Earth, it was being referred to as "that strange disease." It being as new and incomprehensible as COVID-19 had been, no real treatment or cure options were in sight and people were forced to just surrender to death's calendar schedule. One of the main characters of the series had obtained this tragic illness and before his death, he had had to watch his closest friends painfully waste into bone and finally succumb to the thief of life. His time was coming, he had seen into what his future would look like. He knew he couldn't control that part anymore but he could decide to make the time he had left his own crafted game. Long story short, he used a few more days to go to as many of his friends' parties and dance the tango with the love of his life, one more time before he decided he would have his life ended with a single injection, while he still was still exuberant. </div><div><br></div><div>If you could visibly see how good your tomorrow could be or how bad it could get, what, about your now would you change? Is it that alcohol that is whisking you away, how about that fast food life you have been living? Maybe you haven't been paying due to your body's "nutty and veggie" needs? Or you really need to get up and start moving a bit more, your muscle and bones are losing strength? Have you only been criticing and never acknowleged to yourself the beauty and purpose of your existence? We might not have the power to see what is to come a long time from now, but we have the power to believe for the best and work in advance for the best. Let your lifestyle lay brick for good, so one day it will all make sense!</div></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-62193274303735222392021-09-14T20:20:00.000-07:002021-09-14T20:20:41.006-07:00LOST ON THE WAYSIDETomorrow is not really ours because we can only be certain about the current moment, down to that split second you are living right now. Our peace though, is that tomorrow belongs in the hands of The Good Lord. As we sail through life's currents, we meet new people, some for a season and some for a lifetime but surely, all, are for a reason. <div><br></div><div>Starting the flamboyant phase of University was such a thrill, I was open to living it all and working the book end, hard, as well. As fate would have it, to begin this phase with me, doing the same study course was a pleasant young man, named Ronald Agaba, I called him Ronnie. The man always awed me, with his composed nature, I never met someone so patient with everything in life, including himself. He also had a warmth about him that he spread everywhere he went. Truly, if you were looking for a good friend, a good student, a good tutor, a good planner, a good husband, a good boyfriend, Ronnie would have been your best pick but I must have been blind those days! </div><div><br></div><div>I remember him starting a little business in a big way, right in my hostel room. He would bring tasty bread sandwiches, filled with sauteed meat mince and maybe 3 or 4 other vegetables, already made from his home, to my room. We would then pack, sell and distribute from my hostel address. I was usually his booking personnel, booking in the orders from eagerly waiting customers. I say, big way though, because even if he was selling not more than 20 sandwiches a day, they were always neatly sealed, made from the finest brown bread and always made fresh, he was a man of excellence at whatever he involved himself in. Such an impeccable being!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div><b><i>Our thoughts and hearts always hold a special place for good friends. Such was Ronald Agaba❤️.</i></b></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>As we were officially into our final school year, dreaming of our graduation outfits and reciting our graduation speeches in mind, this young man, always a topper in our class, started to have his mental health challenged, the worst bit being that he was silent about it, for the most part. The silence cost him his life, my friend died before he could finish sitting his final year exams. It all happened so quickly, it's still hard to accept, 9 years later. This was the second most painful loss I have registered in my book. </div><div><br></div><div>His future seemed brighter than most of us and yet his life clock had other plans! I now can only be immensely grateful for the sandwiches, the smiles, the talk and his being, even if so shortened that it feels like I lost him on the wayside. His nature was so impactful that his memory brings light for a lifetime. My biggest lesson from the gift of Ronnie to this world is, falling in love with being the best version of yourself even at the humble stages of your life. Those were not just sandwiches he made, what he was making was, two slices of finesse, made from the heart so that another's tummy could be content and body would beam from better health. That's the spirit of excellence that Ronnie oozed and influenced, if you were blessed to be around him. Continue resting in Glory, Ronald Agaba! Till we meet again.</div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-54222549624905635142021-09-05T19:51:00.000-07:002021-09-05T19:51:38.087-07:00BE MORE THAN YOU<div><br></div><div>Pardon my honesty but we all are selfish in nature! Just that, it takes one to know one and I am as human as you. Only looking to see that our little circle has food to eat, it doesn’t seem to matter what the rest of the world is going through. The coming of the Corona virus doesn’t make it any simpler either. Friends, workmates, church mates and even village mates, people that were once part of our one big family are now rendered strangers or just memories of a time past in our lives. </div><div>We eat fancy, we eat behind the curtains, we eat snappy, we eat out of availability than need sometimes, trashing flesh, toppings, creamy seasonings and food slices to dogs, which really, can be just as good with bones. We do it all because we can but mostly to feed a proud “I should have it all” monster within us and not have to be judged on it.</div><div><br></div><div>The thing with nature you see, is! It gives opportunity for evolution. If a trait is making you weak and unfit for survival, you adapt, switch it up or completely change it, inorder to be better, to make it to a longer lifetime. You might argue that fighting for yours, is in itself surviving this tough world but could we really survive without a team, without the balance and normalcy that other human creatures like you and me bring, to make the world more livable? Once we step out of our fences, who do we need? OTHERS!</div><div>It’s time to change from who we thought we needed to be in order to live longer, to who we can actually become that would bring more meaning to this world for us and for others. WE REALLY HAVE TO GIVE MORE THAN WE TAKE FROM THIS WORLD. The divine two way thing about giving is, it will soften the receiver’s heart but it will also fulfill the giver’s heart. </div><div><br></div><div>As I conclude this, I am cleaning up my pruners to head out my backyard and chop some holy basil leaf for the neighbours so they too, can have more flavourful and nutritious tea. It’s not grande but it is a spice I can use, beyond me and mine and it’s definitely a start. Well, since we are not used to these settings, I might also get the awkward “Why are you being so nice to us? Is there anything you want from us?” eyes, so I will just send a neighbourhood kid to go dishing it out to as far as the leaf can go.</div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-23817275032612403612021-08-29T19:55:00.000-07:002021-08-29T19:55:09.321-07:00YES TO THIS SIDE OF MR. CRAVE MANYou hear, "craving" and think all things supposedly bad for you, the fatteners! The killers! They have even been named devil foods in a book, I once read. Fearing them is left as the only option and that, my friend, only fuels the urge for them. Failing to keep away, we struggle with the guilty pleasure. <div>The burgers of these days are high towers that feel like a yummy challenge, the waffles that look like smooth edible art, that ice cream sundae topped with a little rainbow in mint sprigs, a cherry, dates, cape gooseberry and some bright delights in sprinkles don't help us refrain much. With such sugar rush memories, how would cravings be out of mind, huh? </div><div><br></div><div>NOW!! When a little one forgets all about those sweet treats and begins to sincerely, naggingly, for lack of a better word, demand for pumpkin soup even though what he really means is a pumpkin puree, that's a giant green light.</div><div>"I don't negotiate with terrorists!" was the response that my lips ached to give the every 5 minute bold reminder of "I want pumpkin soup."</div><div>Anyway, I chose to really breathe for a moment and it dawned, the little fella has been asking for a healthy food, craving for something healthy! What's wrong with you, ma'am? Don't you see what's happening here? He is learning what you've been trying to add to his element, balancing his food, exploring it and to enjoy food what's actually good for his body. Light bulb moment!!!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I rushed to cooking and blending the first pumpkin I saw. And let's just say the young man galloped through that bowl! </div><div>Now, are cravings all bad? Also, when it's a healthy food craving being demanded, you best run and get that done within the second! What you've been preaching comes down to that second.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-63403950911061991862021-08-24T20:50:00.000-07:002021-08-24T20:50:54.565-07:00THE SET UPA wise one once said, "you do all you can for your children while you can." Where the line is drawn between spoiling or weakening your child and lovingly grooming them is a story we can debate over a cup of tea, on another day. That one statement summarises our true role as a parent and it gets clearer to me, each passing day as I clock 4 years on this motherhood train. Our part to play is to mould and nurture a helpless and clueless being, hold their hand and keep showing them the options, until such a time when they are mindful enough for the burden of choosing their life path. At that point, their choices letting them fly high, can only be subjected to prayer, on our end. <div><br></div><div>Very early in high school, I got to know a genetist existed before I ever knew there was someone called, nutritionist, out there. My mother however, that beautiful soul, knew better! She knew that to expose me to as much as she could, would find me a place in the world that I chose, because of the more informed advantage of having lived, felt, seen and experienced a fair share of what is and can be. </div><div><br></div><div>I had tasted those sweet multi-vitamin supplements in 1994, which in my country, Uganda, were unheard of, at the time. She would serve them very sparingly and used to hide them in a kitchen cabinet, which we would seek, find and indeed steal. I had used rosemary herb to make black tea and relishes for the family, as early as 1999 before it was ever on the supermarket shelf or hyped by the wellness circles in my country. She had planted one or two of these in our yard and the supply was overwhelming. She had discussed her plans for her diet with me, rather casually, as early as before I could sit for my examinations to leave Primary education. Sometimes, it was with an aim of losing a few pounds or topping a few more onto her scale, so she could feel good on the inside. Maybe, her clever self was finding an accountability partner in me or found fulfillment in acknowledging her decisions and efforts for her health goals. Indeed, all that makes them more attainable, you know! </div><div>She had brought home on several occasions, excitingly packed seeds of numerous vegetables, that she would then go on to plant and care for, even when our compound was a bit too little, until they reached our "Barbie" themed plates. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Growing in a world of possibilities like this, wellness was just right and very practical for life. Without any force, but in word and deed, mother dearest, had set me up. Awkward to say but this was the most ballistic set up ever. Gratitude for the being in my mother fills me. She set me up, but for life. I was set up for nutrition!</div><div>Our duty again? To nurture and set the generations after us up for a world where they can choose what matters because it is possible and they know better.</div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-26756438119296341062021-08-15T20:23:00.000-07:002021-08-15T20:23:35.817-07:00FOR YOUR DREAMS❤️I always envisioned and still do, a mother, holistic wellness center tagged to my name, that will eventually birth other centres across the world, where wellness is the bedrock of it all. Wellness is not favoured as needed, it's not seen as needed, instead it is taken for a luxury for people that have money to trash or for those that are not so occupied with responsibility or success, that they have plenty time to sit around and smell the roses or watch the sun go down. <div><br></div><div>If you are not feeling and doing well, you are not whole. One with a part of them amiss, cannot perform with excellence according to his/ her life's purpose. Bringing together, all true needs of the human, both inward and outward is the ultimate responsibility. Fortunately, if you look hard enough, all that can exist. That is indeed, wellness for you. </div><div><div>They say there's nothing that hasn't been done under the sun before and yet still, a concept can be made to look anew by just giving it your own touch of passion, love and time, which are all currencies of life, too critical to pass. </div></div><div><br></div><div>A little more than a couple of years after school, dropped on me, research which i like to call discovery, attempts which I like to call experience, failures which I like to call reflection points, mistakes which I like to call lessons and now my brain child is starting to take form like an embryo breaking out into that feotus that will one day, be a legendary human, walking and bettering the face of the Earth. My journey this far has found me territory in home grown wellness products that translate into more doable health solutions. </div><div><br></div><div>I stiffen up for whatever tides lie ahead this journey and no, it's not that I am a sad realist but the vision should scare you, it should be extra-ordinary, it should sparkle you up. That's the part that wakes me up each morning, to walk an extra step forward to that realisation. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><i>Stay refreshed on your dreams like the ever fresh minty herb🍀...</i></div><div><br></div><div>It will get hard sometimes but always remember to wake up and show up for your dreams. I am routing for you!</div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-66500611310036614522021-08-09T21:16:00.000-07:002021-08-09T21:16:40.485-07:00The Mobile Milkshakers<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><i>Thank you our mothers.. </i></div><div><i>Image courtesy of Pinterest</i></div><div><br></div>Women are a wonder, so much of the world's goodness is bestowed on their hands, sometimes I half believe they were created second! <div>The same hands discipline the upcoming adults and cook food too, to keep the tummy company. The same eyes will bag up make up and keenly observe the world around them too, so they can make bold and often quiet decisions that can save lives. The same bellies house waistlines that can whine entertainingly at our wedding ceremonies, dance floors and when the family gets some good news that deserves quick recognition and still also house the placentas, wombs and fluid that feeds and brings life into the visible world and continues the world. </div><div><br></div><div>Today though, let's credit more, the chest area of these amazing beings. As the young girl turns into a young Miss, what begins as two bumps in her chest grow into evident, firm and round cans. Aside being a quick identifier for which sex an individual might be, something about them tends to entice the male gender to engage for reproduction and most importantly they are mobile storage areas for our little ones. The little ones get to have an on call delivery service of milk shake. They get to contact play with these cans, squeezing and pulling on them as they drink up, you can take it as their strength training or their very first life gym! The little ones get to gaze into their nurturer's eyes, feel a love through them and knowing their emotions are important. The little ones start to understand security, to love and be loved back. All this physical charm is adorable but there's more! Happening beyond what we can see, is a magical build up in their bodies, using chemicals in this whole food to turn minute fragile structures into stronger, more usable functional parts and a way more creative skill set that can only remain a dream for Artificial Intelligence. Let's agree, this movable milk shake does more and is most rewarding for the little ones than anything else, so we are here to recognise all the breastfeeders. A special thank you with a cherry on top, to the ladies that breastfeed babies that are not of their womb and to the ladies that donate milk to our milk banks so more babies can have a nourishing meal. A wise soul once typed, "Do as much as you can for your children while you can." There's no better way to start your child's life journey. The breastfeeding week 2021, might have just ended, but long long live the breastfeeding tradition! </div><div> </div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-12192304199001822292021-08-01T21:45:00.000-07:002021-08-01T21:45:31.479-07:00Pressure of the Peers<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><i>The highest form of self fulfillment is freedom.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div>Peer pressure sounds like a term that best fits the adolescent calibre. We often think they are the ones that have vain impressions to make on their kind, that they worry too much about mostly what should be nothing and are the personification of pseudo-perfection, except for the boys, when it comes to their messy rooms, of course!, which seem like Messi always passes by for a training on thee ball game of the foot!<div><br></div><div>I have come to identify peer pressure dwelling in all seasons of life, might be to varying extents but it exists. The other day, I smelt the vapour of a hard liquor dispersing into the highs of my house, I hadn't opened it so, oddly someone else had. Trying not to cause any false alarms, I hurriedly went to check that it wasn't the little ninja playing adventure games, which turned out, he really wasn't. Feeling like Nancy Drew now, I quietly continued my search. My eyes led me to a glass filled with a brown liquid whose ethanol smelled stronger as I got closer. The one that held it though, was the bigger shock. </div><div><br></div><div>This awesome human had not held this kind of stuff in literally, years! Ulcers backed by witnessing the foolery that slipping into unregulated alcohol consumption can breed in others had shyed them from the drink. I had myself taken it so many notches down back into sane drinking of mostly wine, since leaving college, becoming a mother and understanding how useless, not forgetting, disruptive, it can be. This human, though, wanted a twist to the weekend, I guess. However, the human drank it, what seemed like stealthily, like they didn't want to get caught or were not sure they wanted to and that was the sad part. Had my carved in stone drinking changes, made them feel wrong about a drink that was clearly stocked in our house? Had me being a practicing nutritionist for a long while made them think alcohol is a death sentence? </div><div><br></div><div>I needed them to be void of pressure because we shouldn't make decisions based on others aside yourself and if not over done, not all fun things will be regretted later, some are here for just that, FUN! So life is more on the achieving end but also, memorable!</div><div>So, for the rest of the evening, I was quiet about even noticing a thing and silently cheered them on, with hilarious conversation as they enjoyed themselves. I was simply happy that Jack was happy, out of the box. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-59947867267473467352021-07-17T00:34:00.001-07:002021-07-17T00:34:10.761-07:00A MONTH DEEPER INTO PLANT LIFELooking at nature is a form of healing, unseen wounds can start to cover up and newness floods for what was once damage. The green of the Earth, a child to nature, shows itself as such a superpower! Multi-tasking from feeding us, to cleaning our breathing air, to just standing tall and bright to cheer us up, to oozing medicine for a sick fragment of our being, to staging home for other life that brings balance to our world and more than I could know. If we thought humans are demi-gods, we might want to think it over again, we might have the control but they are the plug!<div><br></div><div>Flower freaks will always be seen between episodes of fumbling and carving out life in these plants, especially for those that have been blessed with planting and nurturing experience. There are also those like me, who are more on the fumbling side, at current. We love our flowers and plants but we have neither the test of time nor the understanding of planting, to back us up. If you are asking how my lot copes, we let our passion go before our lack of, and hope to learn as we connect with one plant at a time. This is the spirit that led me to doing a month long challenge of growing 1 plant a day. A little part of me also wanted to test the theory from the people of my roots, that some people have grower's hands, whatever they plant thrives and others well!! Not very encouraging to mention. </div><div>Being one with the plant world, giving it a piece of my lifetime, with intent to know better has taught me quite remarkably. And those lessons, I cheat for you, starting right now!<br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>If you want the most beautiful things out of life, you are going to have to bring patience along with you to the wealthy side. Every good thing takes time, time to go through the systems, the stages, renewal and thriving. Just wait a while longer, nurture a while longer and prepare to be awed! So looking at your skin care journey, you have been timely and true to that regimen, drinking your water, placing that clay or coffee mask every week, massaging and laughing when you can, to keep those skin cells well supplied with nutrients, don't lose it now. The skin glow has started to peep, keep the pace up!</div><div><br></div><div>Big plants need big spaces, while small ones can be confined to tinning, containering or small spaces. Our lives need a listing of priorities, the most important things to our wellbeing should eat up on most of our lifetime. Those that are kind of important should take the least part of your time on this planet. As for the useless ones, why even give them a thought? Stress munches years away from us while giving us evil like disease, bloating and sleep debts in return. Our only option is to think, speak and do the things that happily feed all our mind, soul and body elements. What can I say! Your pawpaw is very important, eat that pawpaw, food will run through your tract smoothly, you won't have a gassy tummy, you will take that dump in two blinks of an eye. If your body feels that sober, sleep time will always be a mellow soulful party for you.</div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes, when a plant is grown in a new space, it's old leaves or branches die out, as a new plant starts to bud. If you chop the old off, the plant can now focus all it's energies on the new vibrant growth. </div><div>Life is never going to be a constant. I bet, even The Queen with a very assured life has seen things in her day she never imagined! As such, we will have to unlearn some habits or routines or mentalities or theories to create space for newer and most preferrably healthier ones to bud in us. Some bad traits and attitudes about us will have to die for a renewed, more fulfilled self with beauty in and out. Your history with binge eating might have stemmed from a childhood feeling of inadequacy that those school bullies or that dead beat dad trashed on you but you will now work one step at a time on seeing your true amazing and not forgetting, authentic self that was put to sleep for so long by deceit. That understanding of your truth will kill the doubt that bonds you to excess food for meaningfulness.</div><div><br></div><div>I love plants even more now, I respect them and I give too rather than only take from them because of the coaching on life they have given me thus far. I think I will continue with a more subtle form of this challenge even after this month is done.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-10155353113561798262021-06-29T23:41:00.001-07:002021-06-29T23:41:38.983-07:00LESSONS FROM A WRITING MARATHON@afrobloggers @winterabc2021<div>#afrobloggers #winterabc2021</div><div><br></div><div>There exists a classroom in the shape of a marathon, only this time, the lessons are learnt on the field. Marathons are a competition, alright!, but a tactical one that is not about who gives speed a knock out but who was well prepared and most persevering to finally finish the distance set out. I have never been much of an athlete unfortunately, in my school days, I was always one of those bystanders on sports days either cheering on the active or just looking around for the best cotton candy stall at the school field. I have recently however, finally finished my first marathon!! "Woop! Woop! Hooray!"<div><br></div><div>So I chose to challenge myself after seeing a public invite sent out by the Afrobloggers platform to a month long blogging fiesta specifically for the month of June. Expectations from them have been simple:- 22 days of blogging, however, a minimum of 17 blogs should have been written by each participant, tag @Afrobloggers on your blogs and share to your social links( which was not too much to ask really). So now you know, it's been a writing marathon for me. This will be my last and 18th blog out of the 22 so I pass the requirement. It's been a wild run, not without gems of lessons and these are what I share with you today. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><i>Two of my soldiers on their own marathon. Surely no element of speed here.</i></div><div><br></div><div><b><i>1. The more you write, the better you get</i></b></div><div>There's an upside to scratching your head for words, ideas on what to write, relatable story telling styles e.t.c. You start to understand better the concepts of story flow, story climax, storylines, how to find inspiration, when to stop and many others. It is self training, it gets your mind to practice new ways to write, to express yourself and builds confidence in your potential to connect with others through your writing.</div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-style: italic;">2. <i>No feedback is feedback!</i></b></div><div>I struggled with why I am not getting especially those comments coming in even when I would write religiously on a daily basis until I discovered and started to check the statistics of insights on my blog. Utterly shocked, I noticed that people read but are more reluctant to publically talk back for various reasons including privacy, mixed feelings, procedure required to give their feedback being a little complex or long and many others. It's interesting that people read the blogs and then prefer to send their comments or opinions in via your private WhatsApp contact, direct messaging on other social platforms or even give you a call to credit or discredit your work. Maybe, we need to see how to get this section as easy and enticing as possible to do for the readers. But otherwise, don't be discouraged just yet, dear writer, the world is a little strange these days and the lack of comments might not be your cue to stop writing. </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>3. You have to be able to read in order to write.</i></b></div><div> If you stick to knowing what your world offers, your writing sense could get clogged up, fatigued even maybe. You would kind of be in a place so comfortable that nothing is evolving. So if you are going to write, you are going to have to read what other writers do with their minds and hands, get fresh perspectives on what else exists in the world beyond your own and identify what's trending or pertinent. People have amazing stories to tell and incredible views for you to see. Take notes as you visit. </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>4. Writing depends so much on your inner man</i></b></div><div>Your state of mind will determine what mood is likely captured in your writing. The heaviness in your heart will be felt so clearly in your writing and so will the positive vibes. I can only think about these two things right now, take care of your inner man so you can have the freedom to express yourself most heartily and also make sure to keep in touch with all your emotions, the real you has great and not so great feelings, so write in the feeling of the moment rather than downplay yourself for fear of judgement.</div><div><br></div><div>5. Writing is therapy</div><div>Have you ever had an argument where you felt you didn't say what you earlier intended to or you should have said particular things to put someone in their place? In the spur of the moment, there's just never enough time to say it all and well enough, right? Well, writing has you covered. With writing, you are not on the spot or under pressure to prove yourself in real time, so you are more free with the nakedness of your feelings. You are also more rational and analytical since you have been awarded the gift of time to think it through and be certain of where want to go from there. I have been blessed to be able to speak through writing, hours or months later, about my feelings on an unfortunate incident happening and got started on to my own healing. </div><div><br></div><div>The marathon might be done but clearly, another has just begun! Once you start writing heartily, you never stop. Cheers to all the voices shining a light through your writing!</div><div><br></div></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-8232694984385374062021-06-28T04:32:00.000-07:002021-06-28T04:32:14.849-07:00HOME AS IT SHOULD BE -Where do you belong?@WINTERABC2021 @AFROBLOGGERS<div>#WINTERABC2021 #AFROBLOGGERS</div><div><br></div><div>When you are writing from the heart, you are so engrossed in the feeling and you hope that, it's what the reader you prepare for, will feel or even more with a different perspective from you to your write up. To finish a write up is the real meaning of achievement, first there's an idea or a movement within or an inspiration that burns for a voice, then there's translating this feel into a storyline, the why of the story. The latter might be the most important part of writing and also the most part of the work for the heart, before it hands over the relay to the mind and hands. <div><br></div><div>The mind starts to process and remember wording that would stand well, side by side to create a message with a flow, a message that can be understood, a message well punctuated so it doesn't overhwhelm the reader, a message that either pleasantly tingles or provokingly scratches and a message that is going somewhere. While all this is going on, the hands are busy making the mind's work visible. The need for proof reading and previewing your work, then knocks on the door before you finally build up the courage to share all the magic that's being cooking up on the inside. I mean, the transitions and simultaneous tasks going on, feel like a merry go round at top speed! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>All the work you invest to air out your purpose engulfs you from the rest of the world for a bit. In my country, we don't have many bloggers that write more purposefully than to do celebrity gossipping so you won't often know where to find a home of like minded creatives. That can easily trap you into thinking you are probably the only wirter that exists. Then fate opens you up to the visionary Afrobloggers platform, whose mission is to showcase emerging voices, you get to read what other writers come up with and you are awed!! The detail, the direction, the articulation and not forgetting, the resonance that stirs between you and them, from reading their mind through their work! I don't just want but need to appreciate @Afrobloggersworld digital space for taking the narrow path, not easy to tread but very impactful for the future of dialogue, ideology, stability, humanity and advocacy. @Afrobloggers is discovering, validating and exposing the great minds of blogging creatives. I have never felt so comfortable to attempt to ignite conversation that relates food and wellness to the social human ways, as I have this past month with the Winter African Bloggers Challenge 2021. Afrobloggers platform has given us a house to rest our work and light it up for the world and a home where we can belong, meet up, groom each other and use our power within for the greater good. You are more than a blessing. </div></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-21421824958401549312021-06-25T12:27:00.000-07:002021-06-25T12:27:53.583-07:00THE LOCKDOWN EVOKES#WINTERABC2021 #AFROBLOGGERSWORLD<div>@WINTERABC2021 @AFROBLOGGERS</div><div><br></div><div>Clothes have been tagged to fashion so much that many of us believe that's all there is to say about fashion. Today is my anniversary in marriage, a whole five years married!! I believe I now pass the litmus test of being a warrior at life because it's not always a rosy pathway to walk, remember that, when your time comes. It can also be a heartwarming and fulfilling life with real companionship and the bonuses that come with it, remember that as well, when your time comes. <div><br></div><div>My country, Uganda has been locked down again for 42 days since Mr.Rona decided to invade us more virulently. That means the way we live has had so many adjustments made, to fit for safety and survival mode. Our anniversary was not excluded from this and for the first time, we had to cook in, eat in, get creative in, stay positive in and celebrate this milestone in, no extra hands, no extra minds, no extra ideas. </div><div><br></div><div>Our personalities were on the frontline today. My touch was about to be evidenced in how I was going to do my thing. I was determined that the manner in which I was going to coordinate those plates,flowers, pinecones and citrus wedges would evoke an ambience of thoughtfulness, care and butterflies in our tummies. I chose to air this in a tropical themed fashion because fashion is beyond what you wear, it is about owning your personal Midas touch. Make it your culture to stay fashionably you!!<br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div><i>My tropical themed lockdown anniversary table</i></div></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-24345004499348127212021-06-24T07:45:00.000-07:002021-06-24T07:45:49.281-07:00MOTHER INDULGED!!#WINTERABC2021 #AFROBLOGGERS<div>@WINTERABC2021 @AFROBLOGGERS</div><div><br></div><div>Her mother's mother lived her life, her mother watched her and later got around her day a lot like her. Her mother lived her life, she watched her and later got around her day a lot like her. That's how a book was written, a book not visible, a book not written by hand but by grooming habit that turned into a lifestyle, handed down to the lot that came after. The book of culture! <div><br></div><div>He frowns at the mention of "matooke," a type of bananas cooked while still unripe, actually the most popular staple food in Uganda. He then goes on to ask what else is being served with the matooke, as insurance from having to be a drag king with his plate at the table, unhappy, forcing his equivalent of medicine down his throat and eating not to waste his hard earned cash. So, I learnt to make an extra dish for his peace of stomach, whenever I cook matooke. His mother ate and still eats matooke at every meal, he watched her and he ate a lot of it under her roof, he developed a fatigue associating himself with it but he was without option as he was still under her roof and the stomach well, it didn't entertain excuses when it was due. He now is the living example of the missing gap in the line of the matooke culture. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>"Matooke," a staple Ugandan food..</div><div><br></div><div>I prefer to make my "posho," what others may know as corn meal, soft but not fluid, without a trace of a pimple, neatly shaped into a ball or oval when fresh from the fire and most IMPORTANTLY, finally eaten using my hands. I'm not letting some metallic aids dilute the taste and feeling of handling this treasure, live! If you thought we just throw posho into the mouth, think no more and begin imagining the journey I am about to take you on. </div><div>You remember the neatly shaped ball or oval of posho, fresh from the fire? I serve that when it has semi cooled, more like warm at this point. I start to pick little mouth size portions off of that. With every fingerful I pick from the big parent posho ball, I curve into a baby ball, then use my thumb to pierce a small pit through the ball, you know why? The pit creates a space where I can dip this posho ball into the accompanying sauce for instance beans sauce and Voila!! A mouthwatering combo created. The way that thing goes down feels like a sweet dream and there's no lie there. My mother lived her life, she cooked, ate and indulged in posho this way and I watched her. I later got around to eating a lot like her and I could not be more thankful to be a part of this satisfying posho culture. </div><div><br></div><div>Culture of the days before us was a pretty forceful one, without options but that of our times has changed to more of ambidextrous! Culture of these days is clearly, a matter of choice. You can choose to go with or cut yourself from the pack without much of a consequence. Oh, the times do go by!</div></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140584304995593944.post-85008489883892206512021-06-22T13:03:00.000-07:002021-06-22T13:03:29.423-07:00FASHIONABLE "WASTE"#WINTERABC2021 #AFROBLOGGERS<div>@WINTERABC2021 @AFROBLOGGERS</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>When we grow up, society suddenly means for us to be so responsible, composed and more deep in thought and work over paying up those unceasing bills. Dare to play care free games like the rich Ugandan games we grew up engaging in including, "omweso," "mama ne taata" which is the same as "daddy and mummy" and "kwiso bando" which is the famous hide and seek and you might be labelled immature. <br></div><div><div><br></div><div>If you don't go against the vain need for public acceptance, to get out there and play every so often, your inner adventure child is burnt out, yearning to get active. Not all hope is lost though, because play can be channeled through other bits of our adult lifestyle including;- playing dress up!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div>Clothes are such a vibe! You get to pick and choose, mix and match, patch and tear, there's even such a thing as colour blocking in this play space. What you're going through, your emotions, body parts you are most confident about, your mood, your style can all be expressed by grabbing some fabrics and simply donning them. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><i>Banana fibre earrings by Mawejje Creations</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Prada, FashionNova are all brands that hit high on quality but there are those in my Uganda that scream, soulful!!! Uganda's diverse cultures passed on through many generations have not left their fashion world behind. The Baganda tribe of Central Uganda in particular have me mesmerised because they make some of their most prestigious signature outfits from what others would deem as food waste! Talk about having zero tolerance to wasting food!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><i>Jewellery boxes made of banana fibre by Mawejje Creations</i></div><div><br></div><div>These set of humans very lovingly and patiently make a special kind of cloth called "bark cloth" out of the hides of livestock like cows and goats. The beautiful flat finish of this cloth is used as a huge cloth accessory, giving one a very royal look. These special humans also make naturally ombre coloured, coarse textured looking jewellery, baby dolls and jewellery boxes, using the fibre of banana trees! If this is not awesome, I officially give up on finding out what that term means!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><i>Comb holders from banana fibre made by Mawejje Creations</i></div><div><br></div><div>With this tradition, the "Baganda tribe" have proved that if we really meant it, we could all have a more sustainable world, with each natural system feeding into another and not needing of any extra unnecessary toxicity that many of the man made processes have resulted in.</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><i>Banana fibre fabric aimed at sustainable fashion by Mawejje Creations</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div>Allow me to dedicate this blog piece to the vibrant Mawejje Muhammed Dimma, Founder of Mawejje Creations, for keeping the life in our culture, employing a young community and impacting positively on our eco-system. We appreciate your service. Check him and his work out on Facebook, @Mawejje Creations or @Mawejje Muhammed Dimma. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><i>Mr. Mawejje Muhammed Dimma, Founder of Mawejje Creations.</i></div>Food Witnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12614192313591341492noreply@blogger.com6