Big Up Youself, Everyone! Happy, Happy Day to All.
We hope everyone is having a restful and relaxing day. Enjoy every moment you are given. That’s all we know we have. Capitalize on your best time.
In case you’re wondering I didn’t misspell yourself. Jamaicans would say youself. Letters are often deleted in patois. :-)
Weather
Someone wondered why I always include the weather here.
Aside from the fact that we would love for you to visit Jamaica, the weather is important to me.
This time of year we need to be vigilant about storms. I never want to be unprepared for a hurricane!
My health and well-being are paramount.
One major reason I live in Jamaica is the weather.
I cannot endure the cold, damp times in Kansas City. Cold weather makes my bones ache. I read a study that said cold temperatures have nothing to do with aching bones. Mentioning the study to my son-in-law, I said I didn’t know who they studied. His response was, “Twelve-year-olds.” I totally agree.
The extreme summer heat takes its toll as well. Air conditioning isn’t comfortable for me either.
Kansas City is built around two large rivers. The humidity always makes the cold feel colder than the thermometer says, and the heat more oppressive.
I know it’s hot in the Tropics, but here I think it’s healthy to sweat. An ocean breeze always makes the heat bearable. It’s rare where we live now for the temperature to become uncomfortable.
The evenings are always cool, making them ideal for optimal sleep.
Sleep is a critical factor for me; I can’t function without a good night’s sleep.
Moving into the rainy season…
On-and-off thunderstorms are occurring, 30°C/86°F. Winds SE at 11km/h.
Jamaicans would call this a bleaky day.
I love it.
A Veranda, a cup of black coffee, a banana, a sea breeze, and I’m in heaven.
There’s a small storm brewing in the Caribbean.
We have to watch that for next week’s weather. It’s trickier to monitor when the disturbance is small. Weather forecasting equipment can’t easily see it. It’s also prone to becoming large quickly as it travels over very hot water, as our sea is now.
Historic election
If I don’t hear another horn for the rest of my life, it will be too soon!
I mean it.
Jamaicans celebrate an upcoming election and the outcome of an election with long motorcades of people dressed in party colors, honking and blowing small horns for what seems like forever.
It’s not enough that for weeks before the election, they travel up and down the road with loudspeakers, begging people to vote.
A totally invasive process that I suppose is necessary in a developing country where folks may or may not have access to electricity and the news.
Whew!! Glad most of it is over.
It seems it was a well-done event. A group of Caricom (Caribbean Community Organization) representatives came and monitored voting locations. They were favorably impressed with how the election was organized.
Prime Minister Holness
Andrew Holness won another five years. He has been the Prime Minister since March 3, 2016.
He is the youngest Prime Minister to hold office (age 52) and the only one to have three consecutive terms. He’s on a roll for a fourth term. We’ll see how this term plays out.
His work is cut out for him.
Crime
Crime is one of Jamaica’s biggest problems.
Crime was one of the election issues.
He ordered ZOSOs or Zones of Special Operations. Which have been said to help lower crime rates. In addition to providing automatic weapons and video cams for police, who are encouraged to shoot to kill if a criminal does not yield to police requests.
These two measures are believed to have lowered criminal acts across the island under Prime Minister Holness.
A barrier to crime control is the Jamaican insistence on harboring criminals. Police work is difficult enough. When families and friends try to hide criminals, it makes progress nearly impossible.
Under Holness, the crime rate was allegedly reduced by 73%. That’s significant.
Disturbing government actions
I’ve recently learned the government has been trying to annex the Maroon Cockpit Country.
The Maroons are an indigenous tribe in Jamaica that lives in remote jungles on the leeward and windward sides of the island. They signed an agreement in 1738 & 1739 that granted Maroons sovereignty, autonomy, and land in exchange for support of British Colonialism. A vicious guerrilla war had been waged against the British. This treaty ended the conflict.
The land that they hold is rich in Jamaican undeveloped resources.
Recently, there was a disagreement over Maroon Mahogany.
Now, there is an attempt to annex the Maroon land that has extensive bauxite deposits.
There are often disagreements between the Maroons and the government.
It’s unsettling that this indigenous group appears marginalized by the government.
Politics is not my strength. I try to stay far away from political conflicts. It seems to me that if you are a politician, somewhere in your resumé, you will have some type of wrongdoing.
Green Bananas
I know I’ve talked about bananas and their health benefits here before. I eat two bananas every day for my bone health.
Now, I have to share my morning bananas with Buff our American Bulldog. He loves bananas!
I’ve never addressed the advantages of green bananas.
We often eat them in place of potatoes or rice.
They’re a starch. In contrast to ripe bananas, they are 70-80% dry weight starch, while ripe bananas are only 7%.
Bland in taste, they pick up the flavor of a gravy or sauce with which they are served.
For those of us trying to maintain our microbiome, they have more dietary fiber than ripe bananas.
This helps them act as an important Prebiotic. When we pay attention to what we eat, we don’t need to buy expensive Prebiotics and Probiotics.
Ripe bananas and green bananas have essentially the same nutrient value but a green banana has more fiber. Since a ripe banana has more sugar and less resistant starch than green bananas, green bananas, “benefit your blood sugar and help maintain your overall health.” (Green Bananas Can Offer Health Benefits)
In addition to fiber, one green boiled banana provides:
• 9% of daily recommended Potassium
• 25% of daily recommended Vitamin B6
• 11% of daily recommended Vitamin C
• 7% of daily recommended Magnesium
• 10% of daily recommended Copper
• 14% of daily recommended Manganese
A medium green banana provides 105 calories
You should easily find green bananas at your local grocery store. Bananas are picked green for shipping and ripen on site.
To prepare green bananas as a side dish, you must first oil your hands with cooking oil. The banana has a stubborn, sticky substance that can be hard to manage. Once your hands are ready, cut a slit down the fruit and peel off the skin.
Place the banana in boiling water and boil until it is tender when pierced with a fork.
Remember, you will need a savory sauce or gravy to dress up its bland flavor. Watch the caloric content of your sauce. You can wildly add calories fast here.
If you are composting, you might consider making a special brew of banana skins. Many gardeners use banana juice to fertilize gardens. Chopped-up banana skin is great dug into the soil around tomato plants.
Next week a new kitchen look
I’m so excited that next week there will be a new kitchen reveal! So stay tuned to see what Marshall has been up to. There will also be an important memorial to our favorite cat, Felix.
I can’t wait to see you here next week!
I have so many more stories to tell!
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If you want to become our Best Friend Forever, we will be eternally grateful. We will be checking your vibe over Zoom at your convenience each quarter. Connecting with you is important to us. We want you to be well and happy. Living your best life every moment you are given.
Thanks for reading until the end.
Blessing from Jamaica! No one has enough blessings!
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