In this week’s episode
-
Black Panther movie review
-
Africa Bucket-Listing: Cashews in Tanzania
-
Influenza: a personal tale
-
Easy Turmeric Bedtime drink
Africa Bucket-Listing
My family visited Tanzania and Kenya back in 2006 (around the time of a great blizzard in Colorado, which we luckily missed!). There were so many exciting adventures while we were there. One that stood out was in Tanzania. One of our first nights there, we stayed at a remote camp with amenities that were not what we were expecting for being in the middle of the serengeti. The tents were fairly spacious and there was plumbing (i.e. a full shower and toilet), so truly not “roughing it” as I was expecting.
The night that we arrived, we were greeted with a lovely home cooked meal and we retired to the tents for rest.
In the morning, we stepped out of the tent and found waiting for us a cup of hot chocolate and freshly roasted cashews.
I have had cashews before and really love them, but these were different (in a good way). You could taste the freshness in every bite. Sitting on the porch, sipping hot cocoa and enjoying the stillness of the plains in front of us, I felt at peace with the world.
Influenza: A Personal Tale
This flu season has been especially horrific. I work in the hospital and have witnessed the sheer volume of patients getting very sick from some of the resistant forms of Influenza.
One such patient is yours truly. It started with waking up at 2am with abdominal pain and ended up in the bathroom with that sour taste in your mouth after you vomit.
This year’s flu season, we have been seeing more GI side-effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) just prior to the onset of the typical flu symptoms (high fevers, body aches, chills, lethargy).
I went to work as usual, but quickly starting feeling the body aches and chills. By the end of my shift, I could barely move.
Doctors make the worst patients.
I don’t like going to the doctors, but considering I have been sick quite a bit recently, I figured I should get checked out.
Sure enough, I had Influenza A.
I started Tamiflu that very night. The next morning, I woke up like a new person. I was still physically drained, but the body aches were gone. I was able to get out of bed after about 1 day. Tamiflu is a 5-day course and we recommend that you complete the entire course (even if you start feeling better before that). Like a compliant patient, I completed the course.
And of course, I have to thank my wonderful boyfriend, who was the perfect nurse, taking good care of me when I couldn’t even move.
It is a very different experience being on the other side of the coin, being a patient instead of the doctor. What I learned is that sometimes you really have to trust in the medicine… and also its important to take a break once in a while.
Black Panther
I’m putting this at the end in case you haven’t seen the movie yet and don’t want any spoilers.
You have been warned…
I am honestly very amazed at how good the movie was. I had heard good feedback prior to going, so I had high expectations. Many of the scenes continue to resonate with me, almost a week later.
Wakanda is a fictional country shrouded in mystery to the rest of the world. Disguised as a poor African country, it is actually the site of one of the most technologically advanced civilizations in the world. However, they keep self-contained. Choosing to stay hidden while the rest of the world are in an eternal struggle.
T’Challa is the Black Panther, taking on the role of King of Wakanda after his father dies. His journey is one of adventure, tribulations, death, and rebirth. It is amazing to watch his progression from the beginning of the movie through to the end.
The political aspects of the movie, which would usually turn me off, really added some important substance to the storyline. There are many references to black culture, the struggles of the black community in the United States.
I will admit, I cried a few time. There was an element of empathy at plan, with the social and political climate in the United States currently, many of the themes hit home for me.
The characters were all well-developed through the course of the movie. And can I mention that it was an attractive cast! The costumes were based on real African cultures and tribes, and many of the outfits reminded me of my visit to Kenya and Tanzania. I am inspired by the designs (and will be incorporating them into my collection at Etsy).
I feel like we could use a Wakanda nowadays. A powerful king and a bad-ass female army. What more do you need!
Bedtime Turmeric Drink
Much like Windex in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, my mom swears by Turmeric. Any ailment, “turmeric can help with that”.
To be fair, it is a known antioxidant that has been used in Indian cooking for centuries. It can treat anything from indigestion, sore throat and even skin wounds (and pimples).
One such ‘remedy’ is a Turmeric Drink that you can try at bedtime. It is supposed to help you settle down for the night and help you sleep.
Simple recipe.
Ingredients:
- Milk (can be any kind, I use Lactaid due to my lactose-intolerance, but you can use any type you like!)
- Turmeric powder
- Honey or sweetener of choice
- Optional: cinnamon or masala tea mix
Step 1: Heat milk to boiling. This can either be in the microwave or the stove.
Step 2: Add at least a teaspoon of turmeric (you can add more, but it will make the turmeric taste stronger).
Step 3: Add honey/sweetener to taste.
Step 4: Stir to combine
Step 5: (optional) you can add some cinnamon and/or masala tea spice to help counter the turmeric taste.
Step 6: Enjoy!
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
That’s it for this week!
Until next time,
-Rad