Twelve Tips to Master the Art of Aging Gracefully

Growing older is a fact of life which we will all face at some point. Our perception of age and aging probably differs greatly depending on which part of the world we come from. However, aging signals to most that we are no longer in our hay day and therefore are bound by a different…

An Excellent Weekend on the North Coast of Haiti

I have been fairly quiet since early last week as I have houseguests. My son Michael is home for a few days, with a few friends for a working visit home. As you can well imagine, there has been a constant flow of movement and activity associated with the arrival of friends and family. Meal…

Enchanting Passion Fruit Curd

I distinctly remember the first time I tasted passion fruit. I was about 6 years old and we were visiting family in Trinidad. Even at this age, I was absolutely wowed by the flavor of this exotic and exciting fruit. I exclaimed, "What kind of juice is this?" I had already fallen in love with…

Simply Good Hummus

In my blog about pantry staples, I mentioned garbanzo beans as a great item to always have on hand. There are several things which can be "whipped up" quickly and that are nutritious, tasty and satisfying. Hummus for me is one of those things I make often. It's easy, delicious and can be refrigerated for…

For the Love of Chai

A day without tea for me is not a good day. I begin and end my day with a cup of steaming hot golden goodness. Cups of tea have started my daily rituals in the kitchen and have always served me as the perfect pick me up, anytime of the day. A great cup of…

Summertime cooler: Watermelon Cucumber Mojito

I have to find ways to keep cool in the height of Summer here in Haiti. I honestly feel that every year the summer is hotter than the previous one. Yes, I was born in a country which is 10 degrees north of the Equator, but sometimes I feel like I can barely tolerate the…

Caramel Banana Pecan Upside Down Cake

Last Thursday, we were given an entire hand of sweet fig bananas from a good friend, who is a farmer. We got these while they were still green and as such, we hung them in a hook in our kitchen. You may be wondering why there are paint marks on the skin of the bananas….

The Hearty Comfort of Noodles and Pasta 

What is it about pasta and noodles that makes us feel content and happy when we eat them? It is supposedly the heightened level of serotonin produced in the brain, which gives us the feeling of wellbeing and comfort. When I eat Chinese style noodles in a restaurant or at home, I usually have them…

Small Pleasures 

 Pretzel rolls fresh out of the oven I love cooking with my daughter Gabby. She's thirteen and has been shadowing me in the kitchen since she was a baby. Her keen interest has grown and developed since she could stand on a chair to reach the counter. We enjoy cooking and experimenting in the kitchen…

Must have pantry staples

 Have you ever been in a situation where you had some friends stop by unexpectedly and you wanted to offer something with drinks but you didn't have much in your pantry or fridge? Are you tired of buying dinner out or eating fast food instead of making something more nutritious for yourself and family? In…