Who said posting about what you had for breakfast is so banal? I did. In my last column. I am not retracting it as a general observation, but there was an anomaly. An exceptional exception. His name? Razif Khan, a man who shared photos on Facebook of his meals—breakfast, lunch …
Read More »Vaneisa: Don’t let them fool you with “clever” marketing of unhealthy health choices
I’d wanted to return to the relationship between marketing and the choices we make, a subject I’ve often visited. This column of five years ago contained the points I wanted to make; worth repeating as a reminder. Many of us are trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle. You know, incorporating …
Read More »Vaneisa: What does “taste authentic” mean?
Last year, sensing that the Christmas season might be the last one where all the family would be in one place, I got a bit carried away. Abandoning prudence, I declared an open house and set about cooking on an unprecedented scale. In advance, I made more than 200 pastelles …
Read More »Vaneisa: In this land of immigrants, Trinbagonians should show compassion to Venezuelans
Our national boast is a beautiful one. Here in this republic of the new world, we are perhaps one of the earliest examples of a truly cosmopolitan nation. We’ve co-existed relatively peacefully for centuries, and over time, I’d say we have assimilated far more than we’ve rejected. And we are …
Read More »Vaneisa: Getting to the roots of “superfood” marketing
Every other week, it seems, something is being designated as a superfood. Bestowed with this crown, marketers go to town—extolling the benefits and advising toute moun to include these wondrous products into their daily intake. So what exactly makes something a superfood? Forget the fancy definitions, it is simply a …
Read More »Vaneisa: Portals to the Past—the power of meals and dreams
Ask people what it is that makes certain meals so special for them, and I bet that when they reflect they will say it is because it invokes some warm memory from childhood. Hardly is it connected to a lavish spread—it has more to do with its homely nature. The …
Read More »Vaneisa: Lovely jubbly, glubby glubby, and sensory overloads
Following my last column about the responses to textures, particularly in food, a friend asked how I felt about souse. For a fleeting moment I thought she had made some and was offering me a taste that Sunday morning. Although her message was about the column, my brain is so …
Read More »Vaneisa: Acid reflux and burning desires—the consequences of our “zesty palates”
Bird peppers turned up everywhere. You didn’t have to plant them; they took root wherever they were dropped off by their bird friends. Small and innocuous looking, they were hot—none of the warning signs like scotch bonnets, whose succulent exteriors were a fire alarm. My younger brother, at four, was …
Read More »Vaneisa: Stuffing on memories—what makes you think of Christmas?
Every now and then it feels necessary to step back from the daily bombardment of unpleasant news that can wrench your spirit into a forlorn space. It helps to summon cheerful thoughts that remind us that there is beauty around us, and that life very often goes on inside our …
Read More »Daly Bread: Baigan soufflé and judicial macafouchette; a Mayaro postscript and JLSC jab
Reaction to last week’s Mayaro resumed column was as I expected. Readers welcomed and want more of “feel good” topics that bring some relief from the anxiety afflicting all but the one percent and the mindless fete people. This column is a postscript, but I must acknowledge reality first. People …
Read More »Dear Editor: A Tale of Two Critics; why Bourdain’s T&T review was ultimately tasty
“[Anthony] Bourdain doesn’t concern himself about whether the food is too much for his ‘tummy’—as [Megan Ogilvie gripes—he explores and situates the cuisine within Trinidad’s history: doubles, roti, fish, kibbeh, pastelles, souse, callaloo, crab and dumplings… the delicious and unique list goes on.” The following Letter to the Editor was submitted …
Read More »Dear Editor: How to reform Port of Spain in 22 steps
“Create legislation to tackle food waste, convert vacant lots to green spaces, modernise the Central Market, acquire or repurpose abandoned buildings, close the QPS entrance/exit opposite Dundonald Street… partner with businesses to provide free WiFi!” The following Letter to Editor with 22 steps to reform Port of Spain was submitted …
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