StaywellMA: December 2012

For the first time in a loooooooooong time, instead of being in "official vacation mode aka a la potatoe couch" over the Christmas break, I AM WORKING XXX. I know there are tons of events going on in Boston. Unfortunately I will not be attending any. I pray some of the holiday excitement will carry on to late January when i eventually plan on taking a mini vacay.

However, I was able to sneak in a visit to Faneuil hall for some shopping, hanging out with a friend and watching the Boston Blinks show.

I tried to videotape the show.....partial fail but i still posted it on Youtube

Boston Blinks ....."featuring the music of the Holiday Pops, is a 6-week state-of-the-art light and sound extravaganza that has transformed every inch of America's first open marketplace. This magical and unforgettable new holiday tradition uses over 350,000 LED lights to illuminate Boston’s skyline. Blink! is a must-see holiday show, perfect for all age."

And then it became too cold to be outdoors. So we sneaked indoors for some food, hot lattes and warmth.

For the most part I know how to "behave" in public even when am uncomfortable This is true for most situations Unless we are talking about cold weather.

My sweet tooth always finds the delicious victims

I especially love how the lights reflected on the window panes

STREET PERFORMERS

Romantic BLUE WALK WAY

As with all holidays, BE SAFE! as you celebrate. I wanna chat with every one of you at our next rendevouz in 2013

This is isnt an "academic" post about the definition of calories and the difference between unsaturated or saturated fats.

Lets Get Real. You know Better. You just need someone (moi) to "gently remind you" to be good*

As we all know, there's no such thing as an African party without a buffet of food.

Even a simple "meeting" requires the host to put on an elaborate presentation of their cooking skills.

Our dance clubs sell suya, poisson brisé,

rice and beignets-haricots.

Here is the game plan for making healthy food

choices over the Christmas holidays.

1. Let them KNOW

In the African tradition, it is rude to deny food

offered by a host when you are a visitor. It is also

rude to not eat it all once you've accepted the meal.

However, in this modern times, most people

recognize the importance of making healthy food

choices.Even if they don't practice it, they respect

others who do.Don't be shy to tell people you are

on a healthy food choices journey.

You have to be delicate and diplomatic about it.

The last thing you want, is to indirectly come

across as insulting you're host's cooking.

By mentioning it, you relatives and hosts are more likely to respect

your choice to eat small portions or by pass a particular dish.

Understanding that your actions do not mean the dish was

distasteful.

2. Find the SALAD/FRUIT BAR

It may be tucked away in a corner, unannounced and

overshadowed by all the other greasy yet delicious options but find

it. Load up on as much salad and fruits as you

can. Leaving little room for the main course.

3. Vegetable Soups & Co.

Lots of African foods revolve around vegetables. Good. But what

is accompanied in the vegetable becomes the problem. Watch out

for dishes drowning in PALM OIL. If you can see the solid fat,

after the hot oil has "settled down = becomes cold"...be mindful of

how much of that you eat.

4. Fufu a la mode = pounded yam, millet, cassava, sweet

potatoes, rice, farina, corn, cocoyam, garri, unsweet potatoes, achu,

fermented, unfermented, wheat, couscous and plantains fufu.

did i miss any? We @ mapetiteniche like to represent everybody

Now, initially i was going to say, avoid the Fufu all together and go

for a "light" carbohydrate. But who am I kidding? That's like asking

an african not to breath.

So this is what YOU are going to do. No matter how small

your greedy eyes thinks the fufu is, you will cut it into 2 EQUAL

parts and only eat 1.

5. RICE

I'm not even sure i should bother. It will only be a waste of my

virtual ink. Any suggestion that involves limiting or not eating this

staple is only going to result in one thing. Mapetiteniche receiving

hate mails from citizens of every single country in Africa.

6. DEEP FRIED

If its deep fried. STAY AWAY from it. This isn't up for discussions.

Go back to step 5 and have some rice. President or pauper, if its an

African party, there will be RICE.

7. 50 Shades of Purple as seen in this commercial

"I'm looking for a purple, but not like my favorite dress in college kind of purple.. it was just a little too purple. I'm looking more for puuuuur-ple, kind of like it's raining, only it's raining way way way way over there purple. Know what I mean?"

Chances are, you're going to run into 1001 versions of jellof rice,

grilled chicken, BBQribs and ETC.

Do you really need to EAT every single variation of them?

8. PEPPER XXXSPICY