An Avocado Accident and Emergency Room Visit! Less than two weeks after leaving home and launching on his own, our son ended up in the emergency room. June 15th 2021. It was about 1 a.m. and I was busy editing a video while wearing my headphones and charging my cell phone, so I didn’t hear the buzz from my text messages coming in. Kenton, my husband, comes darting out of the bedroom to tell me Khalid, aka son #1, just…
I Love a moist slice of Carrot cake with Cream Cheese Frosting but after realizing I had developed gluten sensitivity and could no longer tolerate wheat products I could only fantasize about what it used to taste like. That was until recently after using the juicer to make fresh carrot juice with my husband when we realized that throwing away the carrot pulp would be such a waste. As much as the Jamaican style carrot juice or carrot punch was…
While we are all concerned about COVID let us not forget our general health and all the health screening tests and preventative care we need at this age ! Yes I mean YOU aged 18 and up ! Do you actually know what tests you need to stay healthy even before you have to see a doctor or healthcare provider ? Lately I have heard from people who had legitimate symptoms- non COVID related -that took them to the Emergency…
Afternoon Tea Party Who doesn’t love a great Tea Party ! Here are the Tea Party recipes from my “Afternoon Tea Party” video on youtube. As you may know I love hosting a good party or setting a beautiful table even if it's only for my children. A Tea Party can be set up for two or ten people, It's up to you. In fact feel free to have a tea party for one and make yourself feel special…
What do you see when you look at this picture? Be honest. Do you just see Black people? Africans? Foreigners? Non-Americans? Or do you see a family of proud immigrants, Black excellence; or Wakanda might possibly be a real place? Well, in fairness, you may not know our story, and in light of all the civil and racial unrest going on around the world, it is probable that your perspective on race has changed. This picture was taken in 2018…
As the weather heats up we crave something cool and if you are like me you sometimes want something sweet as well. I love ice cream and could eat it everyday! My favorites are strawberry ice cream, butter pecan, rocky road, pistachio ….basically I love anything creamy with slivers of chocolate, nuts or pieces of fruit. Now obviously if I gave in to my cravings maintaining a healthy weight would be a major challenge, not to mention a sure way…
May is Mental Awareness month and now more than ever during this Coronavirus pandemic so many of us are suffering from heightened levels of anxiety, fear and depression - not to mention those that already suffer from mental health problems such as panic disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse and addiction. There has been a lot of emotional trauma associated with the unimaginable loss of loved ones that many have suffered; the fear of contacting the virus especially…
It is interesting how we can all be related, live together and yet be very different. My husband Kenton will tell you he is an introvert although when required he can be talkative and engaging. I on the other hand consider myself an extrovert and more so now than when I was younger. We have three children and all three seem to be introverts like their father although I am still hoping Karim my middle child ( born in…
If you look up the definition of "family" in most dictionaries it usually involves the words " parents" or "parent" plus "children". It is inferred that the parent raised the children or lives with the children to form a bond or unit or family. To be honest, the traditional definition of family does not always reflect society today. As you know, the family may not always involve people who share the same biology or genetics. Family may not always mean…
It has been awhile since I last wrote a blog post or life update and so much has happened since then! For example, last fall in 2018 my father visited from Nigeria for the first time in about 30 years! Yes that was interesting. Then there was the time I worked and lived in South Carolina for 6 months as a locum Internal Medicine physician. This May our second son, Karim, graduated from high school and started college. We moved…
Pumpkin Dessert Recipes: Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake, Pumpkin Cookies, and Pumpkin Bread. As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, there's no denying that fall is in full swing. With this seasonal transition comes a delightful array of pumpkin-spiced treats that warm our hearts and our stomachs. In this article, we'll explore three irresistible fall pumpkin desserts: Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake, Pumpkin Cookies, and Pumpkin Bread. Tres Leches Cake with a Pumpkin Twist: Tres Leches Cake is a…
PUMPKIN STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE Pumpkin Cake Batter 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 ¼ cups granulated white sugar 2 eggs at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned) ¾ cup buttermilk at room temperature Streusel ½ cup (112 g) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar, packed 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and…
Gluten-free Strawberry & Cream Cake Strawberry Compote 2 ½ Cups of Frozen Strawberries ⅓ Cup of Sugar 1 Tablespoon of Lemon Juice 1 Tablespoon of water Steps: In a food processor blend the frozen strawberries and the tablespoon of water. Blend to the consistency of your choice. In a small pot or saucepan, cook the blended strawberries on medium heat. Add the lemon juice and sugar once the strawberries are simmering. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until the mixture starts…
Homemade APPLE PIE recipe like McDonald’s- but better! Homemade Apple pie recipe You have to try this homemade Apple pie recipe! It is so delicious and easy to make. I don’t know about you but sometimes I crave some dessert from McDonald’s and I have to stop myself. I used to love the mini Apple Pies, especially during the cold season. Nothing like a hot hand pie with a cup of hot chocolate or hot tea! Mini Apple Pies…
How to make Mango Lassi like a Pro! If you are like me then you probably have a sweet tooth and on a hot summer day there is nothing as satisfying as a cold, thick and creamy Mango Lassi ! This recipe is so delicious. No longer do I have to wait to go to the Indian restaurants to get this drink, I can make it at home and so can you. Think of it as dessert or the end…
Yes, I am seriously saying goodbye to chemical relaxers and cutting my hair off. What's the big deal you ask? For months I have contemplated cutting my hair off but procrastinated for fear that I would not like how my round face would look in short hair and neither would anyone else. I was also concerned that I would not be able to put my short hair in my go to style: a pony tail. What would my husband and…