Reflections

'Sometimes, you have to look back in order to understand the things that lie ahead' - Yvonne Woon. (Dead Beautiful)

Hi all

So this India reflection ties in with my coming home to Namibia - Africa.

There is a bitter sweet taste that traveling leaves in your mouth when you put your bags at the door in your mothers home. And here I am, 30 years old, lessons learned, time spent and memories made.

First of all, I loved India.

And Nigeria, and Austria and Germany and Sweden. I love all the places I left my mark. But India and Nigeria left a mark on me.

Someone asked me recently if I had any regrets. And I honestly said, I had none. I guess for me, I just take everything as a lesson. I have made mistakes and learnt from them. I have no regrets. My life is such that I take every opportunity as a lesson in which to learn....I know some may not be to my liking, but that's my path. That's my destiny. That's the road I choose. I decided at a young age to believe in me. To trust my instinct and never conform.

India taught me, that I am stronger than I give myself credit for. I don't follow. I Love to push. Push buttons, push extremes and push boundaries. As an African women, being 30, unmarried and childless and going beyond expectations about marriage, life and family. I went there. I tasted it. And I loved it. Its my fuel. Its my calling. I live to be without boundaries, with expectations, because even I know, they wont meet what I have planned for myself tomorrow. Because even Tomorrow is a mystery to me.

                                                My journey was about hair.

I started out shaving it off and starting new, at a crossroads between Austria and Nigeria. Almost 3 years later, its grown more. Its almost an obsession. My hair, my skin, my soul, my mind. I take more care now about my whole being than ever before. I grow my own herbs, I mix my own body butters and oils. I read ingredients and watch what I take into my system. I own my body. I take charge of it. It's my blessing and my gift and I treat it as such.

India also taught me, my hands are my gift from the Highest Being. I feel it. This power, when I touch another, when I mix some oils and even when I cook, I feel this gift. My hands, they have their own story to tell. I love that. These small hands, they heal, they make a difference and they feel. Its electrifying. Knowing that in the palm of your hands you have so much power. And its beautiful, knowing, you are gifted to heal and help.

Its also a hindrance, lol  because now I want to go back to painting, sketching, photography, writing, poetry and singing.....And And And...... I am not done yet, but for now, I found my calling and I am satisfied. Its this simple satisfaction, this simplicity, that always scared me.  That in essence, life is so simple.That something so simple ( like massaging ) could give me pleasure and for now fulfillment.

That's India.

 You go half way around the world, only to sit still and find yourself and realize all the power is within you.

I am sorry if you came here for the bad stuff and ugliness but if you have been following me, than you know, I don't do that here.

 I ain't done traveling yet.

Namibia will be my base for now.

That means I have 53 countries to go through.  Rocco got a new chip and he is good to go. So now you know. This Queen is back on her continent and its time to shake things a bit...... First things first, get some news shoes and pick the 'fro some more!!!!!!!!

That is my reflection on India.
From here on out, We all look forward.
Blessings and Love. Peace to you.

Land of the Brave

'Only the mountains never meet' - Namibian Proverb

Hi all

I know its been a while since I have logged on and its been a bit hectic, however, I am settled and can reveal where I am right now.......Drum roll please......

                                                                            Namibia!!!!!!

Yep, I am home, my home, my parents home, land of my ancestors, my roots and my beloved country. I have been here now for 3 weeks and am still catching my breath. Gorgeous sunsets, man on a horse (I never have my camera!!!!!) friends, family and winter. This Queen landed in Windhoek, Namibia in the middle of winter after leaving 38 degree India!!!!!!!

So, for now, let me get my stuff together and get back to regular blogging.......However let me leave you with some new shots I got last week....

My amused face

My professional face

My confused face

My happy face!!!!!!

And the hair- I hear you ask....well that was a wash and go, twist out, just left it to do its thing. I used some Aloe Vera gel, Water and my hair Butter. Nothing more and nothing less. 

Wow, this year alone, I went to Germany, India, (and Sweden) and now Namibia. And its only July!!!!!!! Last year, I went to England, Finland, Switzerland, Austria and Germany ( and Sweden). Am trying to beat that record lol hahhahahah So far so good, I would say. 

Have a great weekend everyone. Greetings from Africa!!!!!!

Blessings, Love and Home.

Leaving Again.

Hi all

Sorry for the lack of posts, I am in the process of packing my suitcases again and flying off to a new fab destination ------This Weekend!!!!!!

As soon as I land and sort out internet connection and whatnot, will be back to regular posting. Thank you all for your patience and time.

Blessings, Joy and Bags. 

Hair products from India

'And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and winds long to play in your hair'. Kahlil Gibran

Hi all

Apart from coming back with tons of conditioners I also came back with Ayurvedic hair and skin products which I will do a post about and these commercial Indian hair products below. 

My goodies

Vatika - enriched coconut oil ( the packaging is different from the normal one and much bigger)

Amla oil

Vatika Shampoo - with extra Henna cream conditioner (basically its a 2 in 1) the ingredients in this are green almonds, Henna & Shikakai

Hair pack for growth & revitalizing and helps hair from premature graying. Ingredients are Palasbeej, Bhringraj, Jatamansi & Amla. (post will be done on how to use and results) 

Mehendi (Henna)

Yep yep, so that's what I came home with. Now I am off to wash my hair, deep condition and then rinse and do a roller set. Am doing a length check this weekend. Then I gotta decide what to do with my hair, since the place I am flying to has different weather from both India and Sweden. 

Happy weekend everyone

Blessings, Peace and Length

I can cook!!!!

'Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all'. - Harriet von Horne

Hey all

Greetings from rainy cold Stockholm. So I landed, unpacked and slept only to wake up at some un-usual hour and then off to the store I went in search of veggies, soy milk and other goods for cooking. This is the result. In case you are wondering about the title of this post, well I was online with a guy friend of mine and I was telling him, that I was cooking, he couldn't believe that I can actually cook. As in stand behind a stove and put things into a pot or pan. I just laughed and said: You don't know about me boo, ask somebody!!!!!! 

Chickpeas with spiced tomatoes and spinach

spiced black-eyed beans & mushrooms

Thali sets I brought back from India

Butter chicken

My Thali set waiting to be filled

 

Supper is ready...

I was so hungry, I almost forgot to take a picture (added was ready made masala chapati)

yummy healthy goodness

Being back in Stockholm is quiet strange, am still getting used to it and boy did it take me forever to unpack.  Also, I aint staying long, so that's another thing........ but it feels good to be at home with my folks and my brother.

Not to worry will do a recap on my India trip as well as hair products I brought back with me and hair update (I really want to do a length check). So look for those posts coming soon.

Blessings, Joy and Cooking

Leaving India

'You get a strange feeling when you are about to leave a place, I told him, like you'll not only miss the people you love but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you will never be this way ever again'. Azar Nafisi, reading Lolita in Tehran

Hi all

So, my bags are packed and I have some hours to go before I get on a plane and say Next Time to India. I am sad to leave, but excited to see what my future holds for me. I will be flying back to Stockholm and then onto some place else .........shhhhhh you know how I do.

As soon as I land and sort out my body and time difference it will be back to regular posting.

For now,

Blessings, Joy and India.

Everyone should know about ...... Bitter Gourd

'Sharing knowledge is not about giving people something or getting something from them. That is only valid for information sharing. Sharing knowledge occurs when people are genuinely interested in helping one another develop new capacities for action; it is about creating learning processes'. Peter Senge 

Hi all

India. I love everything that India has and continues to teach me. Not just in my personal life but also in my overall outlook. I am forever amazed and in awe on what I learn here. I truly am grateful for coming here and being here. 

So here is something health-wise I want to share with you. Bitter Gourd. ( also known as Karela  and  Bitter melon). An amazing powerful fruit that has soooo many benefits, I cant believe I hadn't heard of it till I came here. 

Just a few things: 

It is widely grown in Asia, Caribbean and parts of Africa and its a fruit. Its among the most bitter of fruits. 

It varies in shape and bitterness

It is low in calories.

Contains calcium, potassium, vitamins C, B1, B3, folic acid, zink, manganese and magnesium

Rich in iron, beta-carotene and great for liver related disorders

Its the only vegetable of its kind to reduce blood sugar levels - natural plant insulin.

It serves as antioxidant, antibacterial and antipyretic agent (the leaves)

Stimulates easy digestion

This is what it looks like

photo from of Google images

And this is how it look like cut up and seeds removed

photo from Google images

This is what I had recently as a side dish, with whole onions. 

A few other benefits and uses of Bitter Gourd:

Cholera - during the early stages of cholera a concoction of bitter gourd leaves and lime juice (optional is white onion juice -------onion which is just juiced) is given in teaspoonfuls to be sipped. This is useful in the treatment.

The juice of Kerala is used to fight skin problems such as psoriasis as it purifies the blood as well as other skin problems like ring worm and Jaundice.

Eye problems - it has high levels of beta- carotene it is known to improve eyesight and alleviate eye problems.

Its been known to be great for hangovers. Some say it may fight alcoholism due to the juice working as a natural antidote. As the plant improves the functions of the liver and when taken over time, the urges to drink reduce and the blood is cleansed and the body's immunity increases.

Traditionally the tea of the leaves are useful in preventing and treating malaria.

Early testing has shown results that perhaps Bitter Gourd can help in preventing cancers (colon  and breast cancer) and in the treatment of HIV.


Cooking tips:

Bitter gourd is bitter. I tried it. And yep, its just as the name suggests. Bitter. But for me, I can handle that.

The bitterness can be reduced with yogurt or onions. Or even as suggested by my teacher socking over night in buttermilk.  In southern parts of India  coconut milk or tamarind juice is added to reduce the bitterness and to enhance the taste.

Bitter gourd can be steam cooked and juiced to be taken daily for health benefits, it should be limited to one or two small Keralas. The raw juice should not be taken more than two to four tablespoons as excess juice is not advisable and could lead to diarrhea. Pregnant women should avoid taking this is juice.



Here are a few links to teach you more about Bitter Gourd.
Bitter Gourd
Bitter Gourd
Bitter Gourd
Bitter Gourd
Bitter Gourd



Please Note:  I am not a doctor. I have not studied medicine. I only know, what I have researched, asked about and tried eating it myself just to get the taste. Please consult your doctor or medical practitioner before conducting any new alternative therapies and food that you are not used to. Before undertaking anything new in terms of your health and overall well-being please do thorough research and and check again. Thank you. I only did this post because I wanted to share with you what I have learned about this plant.

Blessings, Joy and Sharing

Food Pictures 2

'Part of the secret of a success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside'. Mark Twain

Hi all

Here are more pictures of some of the food I have been eating here in India. Enjoy!!!!

Springrolls

Veggies with Soy chicken

inside the spring roll 

Rice, Soy chicken and veggies

Chapati, chicken curry, herb yogurt and Chicken tikka roomali roti

yummy chicken

cheesy chicken pasta with strawberry milkshake

different kinds of breads

sweet tomatoes 

beetroot, goat cheese and some greens

this was sooooo good

spaghetti with seafood

gnocchi with artichokes

hummas and some flat breads.

falafel and hummas

spinach fatayer

cheesecake with caramel sauce and cream with a biscuit in it

cheesecake with raspberry sauce and ice cream with a biscuit

peach cooler and coffee cooler

Subway chicken tikka sandwich

Subway chicken tandoori sandwich

some snacks

bread pakola (bread covered with chickpea flour and stuffed with potatoes then  deep fried )

chilli chutney

inside the bread pakola

yep, there you have it, just a few yummy shots of great food.

Blessings, Joy and Food