Memories of Guyana: Strength in Community and Pow Making

Have you ever noticed that there are certain powerful triggers which can induce a wave of nostalgia in us? Sometimes it can be seeing images of a place which can take us back in time or even seeing a familiar food which perhaps you have not eaten for many years. It’s amazing how things such…

The Best Chicken Soup Ever

I have always known about the virtues of chicken soup and the almost magic properties of a clear chicken broth for treating all that ails you. As a child, various types of soups were often on the menu at my home in Guyana. The soups at home were of different types, flavor profiles and consistencies,…

The Positives of Growing up in a Culturally Diverse Society

Can you imagine a world where everyone looked as though they were all from the same family, spoke in exactly the same manner and had no differing opinions on any subject? How boring and monotonous would our existence be if we lived in homogeneous societies lacking diversity and individuality. These days it seems like there…

The Amazing Power of Lemons and Limes

There are so many awesome flavors which are fresh and exciting but the ones which truly stands out to me are the flavors of lemons and limes. I always keep a good quantity of both of these citrus varieties on hand and store them in my refrigerator cooling drawer as they remain fresher for a…

Banana Jam Is The Ultimate Comfort Food

Living in the Caribbean, means that great bananas are always plentiful and reasonably inexpensive. Every week I buy a bunch, but sometimes the heat can make them ripen faster than they can be eaten. As we all have a tendency to like to eat fresh fruit which looks appealing, ripening bananas with their blotchy peel…

Tea Party in the Tropics

I have always loved tea and tea time. On week days when I am busy with work and my daily activities, tea time is just a pot of good strong English tea and maybe a slice of cake or a small pastry if I have fresh baked goods on hand. I also really enjoy the…

The Best Rice and Beans

In this part of the world, Rice is a staple and eaten at most meals. Growing up in Guyana, white rice was a faithful part of practically every meal; with the exception of days that cookup rice was on the menu. Rice is both comforting and filling. Eating these familiar grains, whether they be brown,…

The Importance of Family in Society Today

When I think of family, I associate the word with great love, happiness and appreciation. For me it is a word which is sacred and all important. It means the source and foundation on which love and security is built. It’s my support system through good and bad, happy or sad. Family is there at…

Carnival in Haïti

In Haïti, once the Christmas and New Year festivities are over, it immediately signals that the pre-Carnival season is imminent. You have to understand that for Haitians, Carnival is probably the biggest celebration of the year. For many here, Carnival is greatly anticipated and it is truly a time where people of all walks of…