Why the Way we were is so important to our future

Take a look at what our behavior pattern has become this is a real reflection of our a typical day at school; where our future minds are being prepared too rule this world. Not to song like a broke record but we have long something that was a way of life long ago and that is moral, respect and caring for each other'
I attend a function this morning with the new Minister of National security Major Edward Dillon and he to reflected my sentiments that our society has loss so much from the past and it is his desire to use his ministry to bring back the down home family value that made nation stand out from all the rest (paraphrasing) he had that the country was going though a stage of complacence and lack of connecting with crime; he added that people no longer feel the need to help when an individuals are attacked but rather the only reaction for the average citizen is to take their phone out take a picture and post. this pre occupation with social media has made us would be producer ready for a cameo at any time. One would often hear individual laughing as others are beat while they are film then it posted and we are all in awe at the behavior of posted but never the poster of whom you can clearly heard laughing.

This was not the case years ago and doing such a thing by the average Joe just for fame would have been frown upon. There is an old saying "he who broke it must be the one to fit it" therefore the onus is upon we the adults to work together to bring about the change that our nation to badly  needs, so that we can have a better tomorrow, today.  That would spread around the world.

  In this season of globalization it is necessary that the customs of these other nations never become customs of our society and infect us, in such a way that we become them and we lose our cultural identity and replace it with what those other nations has allowed to become the norm in their society  now become our norms as we seeing now. But I know it is not to late we are not to late, all the is needed is to bring back some of the old time ways.

The Way we Were- The education System

 

 

The way we were when it came to educating a child was an entire community thing, all the elements for a holistic human being were working together to create what one may be able to classify as a model citizen. It could be personified as the school, church and the community working with the family for the betterment of the society in directly but directly for the child.

 I believe that all the stake holders understood this vision and built their vision and mission statement around this prime objective of educating the child for a better tomorrow.  The motto of the national Parent and teacher association is “school and home working toward the betterment of the child”  proving that  if all stake holder worked together we would a better society and it was working,  we may not have had a perfect utopian society but life back then gave hope for a brighter tomorrow.

School days were truly happy days, teacher taught for the love of it. Family, friends and neighbor did their part to assist each other to bring up their kids; no child could break school or classes without someone blowing the whistle on them. Disrespect was handled with a united front, there was one thinking unanimous to all, it was an unbreakable force and no child could surmise a way to penetrate it.

Until now, I don’t know where we went wrong; maybe it was too much lick vetted out my our parents or the long winded berating then meted out to us, but then again it must have been the hash punishment dole out to one without explanation or question of authority that made the baby boomer of our time change the way they trained up their children. But our society has change for the worse, the united front was broken and the child became the leader making this new generation though more educated, supposedly more civilize and cultured have proven to be more immoral, lawless, selfish and unkind to each other than ever. Crimes and murders are on a rise with most or if not all are young person under the age of thirty; tell me where did we go wrong.

 

I sat in a meeting and heard the principal blame everyone from teachers, church and parent for the way things are except him. But he is the head of the system, and if he can’t do his small part then what is to become of the school, why can’t we not see that we are all a part of the problem. We are the ones who broke it then we are the ones to fix it.

Else school days will no longer happy days.

The Way We Were- Collabaration- The way we were at Christmas

 

Christmas long ago was quit exhausting, there was a lot of hustle and bustle  and keeping up with the day to day preparation for that special day was a work intensive process. For you see everything had to be done by the family. From the making of the curtains, painting, cleaning, baking etc. Christmas was really time consuming by the time the day came along most were dead on their feet unable to really enjoy the which was filled with more cooking. The lady of the house had to be multitalented and a multitasked because everything was done by her.

So coming up to big day cooking was very simple and was made up of dishes that took very little time to make. I must say women back then were masters at time management when it came to making a meal. Let's take a look down memory lane and see how a healthy quick meal was made. We are going to make a Palau.

Recipe:

 







1lb Wild/brown rice
5lb yard fowl cut ( this can be substituted with ex layer it has the same quality and taste)
3 lbs. freshly grown pigeon peas
4 cups coconut milk
3 tps coconut oil
3 tps rouco this would be pre made from the boiling of the bean of the plant in to a thick red  liquid (for browning)
1 cups dice pumpkin
1 cup dice carrots
fresh green seasoning ( chive, thyme, basil, celery, lemon grass, big thyme, shado- benie and ruff skin lemon, garlic and onion) all this must be blended together with salt.

Method

Grind seasoning in a mill, wash and cut up chicken with lemon juice and leave to marinate.
Clean pea and put to boil cooked until soft, drain and set aside.
Clean the rice making sure to remove any stones etc.
grate the coconut and squeeze out the milk
Put on the iron pot to hot, put the oil in and the rouco and when sizzling place in the meat and allow to brown, allow the meat to cook.
Then add all other ingredients to pot including the coconut milk and lower heat and steam with a fig leaf for cover.
Remove and serve hot with a cucumber. mmmmmmmmmmmm !

Know the healing properties:

PIGEON PEAS

 We all know this wonderful pea that we use in our local dishes like Palau. Its a drought resistant plant that originated in India and is cultivated across tropical regions all over.  It's packed full of nutrition as its full of protein, fiber and vitamins. Its contains B vitamins, Potassium, magnesium, manganese and zinc. Its great for vegetarians as it can be a meat replacement and its low in fat.

It can be found dried ,canned or fresh- its even available frozen.

The plant is easy to grow and can tolerate poor soils.

Coconut (Dry)

Spanish explorers named it Cocoas- because of the three eyes that looked like a monkey. The coconut palm "the tree which gives all needed for living" can be found all over the world.

The coconut referred here is the dry nut with the white meat which we all know. it can be grated or blended and the milk strained out to be used for cooking.

Coconuts are very nutritious as its packed with healthy fats, vitamin B1, B3, B6 and minerals including selenium, calcium, magnesium and many more. It can also be used as a milk substitute for those who have lactose problems. The milk gives food a distinct flavor and adds a natural sweetness to any dish.

The oil can even be extracted and used for cooking or used topically as a powerful anti- aging moisturizer.

Cilantro (bhandhanya /Shado benie )

 We all know this versatile herb as it is synonymous with green seasoning. This herb is used all over the Caribbean, Latin America and South East Asia. It has many names - Spirit weed, Cilantro (not Cilantro), saw tooth coriander,etc. and it is native to South America and the Caribbean

Cilantro is rich in Calcium, Iron, B vitamins, Vitamin A and C. It also used for colds, fevers and diarrhea. It can be made into a tea or boiled gently. Of course we use it as seasoning given its pungent aroma and taste.

Organically grown Cilantro has the best flavor and more natural oils that give its unique flavor. You can get this herb at any market or grocery.

 

The Way We Were- Courtship

THE DATING GAME

 

The way we were when one fell in love or decided it was time for them to settle down and find someone special to share there lives; was quit different from the courtship of today. Ones parents and match making chose and decided who was best for you sometimes the screening process was mostly like a business transaction. With the  details of match up being left up the parents of the couples. sometime with a not even anyone thinking to asked you if you liked the young man or visa versa and whose case scenario you would meet your intended for first time at the alter.

Today relationship is quit liberal  and direct and it is  fair say, that the women of today are the pursuer rather than the pursued. There may be allot of reasonable factors that contributed to this new kind of mating ritual  of course, of and there are allot of reasons that attributed to the trading of roles system what we have today;  where a woman can decide that it time for a  "bootie call" or wants a relationship she doesn't feel she need to wait to be asked,  she does the asking herself first and if the man is interested they hook up.  she is paying her own bills and is in control of her own life. therefore why should she not make the selection of her mate, her choice. Even if it means marring outside of her race. Something that would of brought great shame, pain and disgrace to her family. Wow how times have changed and I would say for the better.

 

 

 



But the way we were, courtship was exactly what is was supposed to be courtship. one waited to be courted. A potential suitor would scope out the girl of his choice, carefully observing her. As she went about her daily life. then when he was ready he would asked her parents for permission to visit, if he was known by  people in the neighborhood and had a good repetition he would be allowed, and after a short time of visiting, which  would never be alone.Then if they both like each other, he would approach her father with a formal writing letter request his permission to marry his daughter. And if they agreed and she accepted he would purpose formally to her.  There was hardly ever any sex  before marriage happening back, that kind of thing was consider un- lady like behavior. And spurred upon by all. It was the fashion back then to marry a virgin.

 

In my opinion relationship goes with courtship and it doesn't really matter how two people get together. Its all about how they live together that's important.

 

 



 

The Way We Were - The Styles

 

The styles we wore reflected a generation that wanted to be set apart from their parents moving away from the dullest and struggle of what they lived though and creating a new identity for themselves.

The clothing was  out there, radical and sexy look giving a new expression to how they felt about themselves. Just like the wave of social media define this generation, coming with it's new mode or medium of communicating; it was the same thing fashion did for the youths of the eighties.  So let take a blast though the past   and see if anything have really changed. In reality nothing ever really changes but us. Fashion just keeps revolving and coming back in a different and a new name depending on the designer. I have deliberatly mixed the eighties styles up with those of the twenty first centrury can you put the eighties from the 2015 designs. Let's how much you can spot give a me a comment on how much you can spot.

 

Even men fashion of the day is still the same now. So maybe before you call your parents old fashion you should think again. There are no new design just a fresh perspective on the same styles. Some thing to think about.

The Way We Were - The fruits we ate

 

 

Long time use to taste like this. No additives, no sodium, no sugars. Which resulted in less people with  high blood pressure, diabetes, cancers, elegies  and what ever life styles diseases that plaques us on. From children to adults. Everything was organically or home grown or geared from your livestock which included your eggs.

Arrowroot - The powder arrowroot is derived from the root of the arrowroot plant and is used as a thickener for sauces. It does not have any taste.

Balata – Oh gosh, so sweet... thumbs up for Balata. Now these fruits are not easy to get and can be found in some really tall trees. The fruit is very sweet but there is very little 'flesh' and a seed that is big inside (shell outside). You won't regret eating this fruit!

Bananas (aka Ripe Fig) – sweet especially if the birds start to eat them. Now we can't forget the following - Sikyé, Silk, Gros Michel, Mataboro and Lacatan. Bananas are really good for the potassium but you can cut them up (ripe) freeze and use in smoothies.

Bananas (aka Green Fig) - Good for soups and for boiling and eating with salt fish  buljol (yummy). One thing to note is that green bananas contain 'resistant starch' that is helpful for persons who want to control their blood sugar levels.

Barbadine (aka Giant Granadilla) - This fruit can be used (when ripe) to make a juice that is very similar to that of sour sop. This fruit unlike the sour sop grows on a vine that can be as long as 50 feet in length (sorry Trinis I am still using yards, feet and inches).

Breadfruit - Come on ah good 'oil down' or roasted... not considered poor people food anymore. There are two varieties - yellow and white (inside). The yellow variety is most popular in Trinidad. It is an excellent source of potassium, carbohydrate and fiber.

Black Sapote - This fruit is not so popular in Trinidad; I never ate this fruit! It is also known as Chocolate Pudding Fruit, Chocolate Persimmon and Zapote Prieto.

Cacao (Cocoa) Pods -



Cacao (Ripe Cacao in the pod) - The pulp that surrounds the cocoa bean tastes good... Just try it (ripe ones please)

Cacao (Cocoa Seeds) - Trinidad and Tobago's cocoa has been used to flavor other cocoa varieties. Trinidad's cocoa has won many awards because of its unique flavor.

Cocoa bean niblets are added to smoothies as a mood enhancer... try it! The nibs contain 'theobromine' that acts as a stimulant and a diuretic.

Cachiman (aka Cashima)- This fruit is also known as Jamaican Apple because it is sweet and tastes somewhat like custard.

Caimite aka Caimito or Star Apple – I am drooling now – I love this fruit. This is one of the best tasting fruit ever!

Caimite (Small Variety/Photo neeeded!) - There is a small variety of caimite that I remember eating in an estate in the Manzanilla area. This variety did not turn purple when ripe (remained green in color). I need a photo of this variety (please send in to me at ananda2456@gmail.com)... thank you!

Carailli - Gosh bitter like hell but I liked eating it as I matured (or should I say tolerated the taste)! I just learnt that that it is used as an antiinfective, antipyretic, anthelmintic and laxative

Cashew (Red and Yellow); cashew nut – Cashew was good for tying yuh tongue but the good ones were the ones the birds picked at, other than that the jam was really good. Cashew nuts, well now we could talk – loved roasting them and shelling and eating it right off the galvanize tray we roasted them on.

Chalta (Elephant Apple) - Now this is one fruit that I don't think you will eat "jus' so". This is still used to make anchar in the same manner green mangoes are used to make anchar.

Chataigne: This is Chataigne or as it is known is some places as 'bread nut'. This one was brought to my attention by Mingoao; it was not part of the listing. I don't know how I missed it because I have eaten so much curried chataigne with roti.


Chataigne Seeds: I don't know of anyone who did not enjoy eating chataigne seeds aka 'farting pills' as a youth. I said 'farting pills' because that is the name we called the boiled seeds of the fruits that fell from the trees.

Chenette (Quenepas) – a kids delight - too much work to enjoy this fruit if you ask me and most of the time they are not sweet!

The photo of these delicious cherries were taken in the sunlight of sweet Trinidad by my brother at his home in Couva. Don't they look really delicious. Don't you wish you were back home and had the opportunity to eat some of these Trini Cherries?

Christophine (Chayote) - It looks somewhat like a pear but is in fact a vegetable. Trinidadian s love to use this vegetable in Chow Mein. It is cut into finger strips and added to the meal.


Coconut (Green variety) - This is the one that you will see on so many trucks (for sale) in towns across the country. Coconut water is low in calories, high potassium content and reputed to lower blood pressure.

Coconut (Chiney Coconut) - Same health benefits of the regular variety above but is generally better tasting (sweet). There are the Yellow and Green varieties and they are round and smaller than the regular variety. 

Coconut (Dry) - ideal for many recipes including sugar cake and the milk for callaloo and in the copra stage is used to make coconut oil.

Coconut Jelly (Soft) - Now you can't simply drink coconut water and leave that soft delicious jelly in the shell... if you do, then you don't know what a treat you are missing. It is the coconut water that forms the jelly. Enjoy it and remember to leave us a line about the day you enjoyed eating coconut jelly.   

Cocorite – l loved going in the ‘forest’ to get cocorite. The one with the white pulp was nice but the jewel was the one with the pink flesh inside – yummy.

Custard Apple - This fruit is creamy inside with a very delightful taste.

Damson - I need help with this one! Information is needed on the fruit and I also need a photo! My Paramin friend Gail told me that it is a type of plum!

Douns (Doung) – I ate it but can’t remember the taste. I believe it is also known as crabapple (not sure).Oh and they also call it 'coolie plum'.

Fat Pork – This fruit is also known as 'Coco Plum' I ate it but don’t know what people loved about this fruit. Thanks for the photo Gailos... Paramin Gold!

Five Fingers (Star Fruit or Carambola) – I was not a lover of this fruit but it is good with salt and pepper! The fruit is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. This photo was taken from a tree in my brothers back yard in Couva!



Governor Plum (Flacourtia indica) - Dark purple when ripe

Garnicia - This fruit is also known as Lemon Drop Mangosteen fruit

Grapefruits - When ripe these fruits are a treat!



Shaddock (Pomelo) - The pink grapefruit is really sweet, for some reason we called it 'shaddock'(I don't have a clue about the name but that is what I remember call it. My grandfather had a tree in his back yard next to an old latrine (man that tree produced so much sweet fruit). I guess the latrine helped – lol.


Gri Gri - I can't remember the taste of this one but I do recall that I liked eating it... appreciate it because it takes a lot to get the fruit!

Gru Gru Bef (grugru bef) aka Banga fruit – Hard shell with a sticky delight inside.

Guava – Yes, as a youth I loved making guava jelly, guava jam and guava cheese eh... I had to boil the fruit outside in the yard on stones.

Hog Plum – Gosh yuh had to have ‘real belly to eat that’ – "Dat ting sour boi"!

Lime - a little lime juice to 'cut the freshness' from meat is a must!

Lemon - The smell and skin of this fruit always peeked my curisity - lemon juice is ok!

Mamisiporte - I don't recall eating this fruit but I heard so many people raving about the taste!

Mango – Now we talking, that was tea, breakfast and dinner. Curry mango, masala mango. This photo was also taken by my brother at his home in Couva!

Mango (green) - ideal for curry



Noni - Some people swear that the juice from this fruit has healing capabilities... I know it stinks! I tried it and believe me there has to be a better way to feel good!




Nutmeg - Yes we have nutmeg! So you thought we got them all from Grenada? Nah, nah nah, doh try dat!

Oranges – Loved going to the country estate in Biche that was a treat eating the fruit picked from the trees.

Passion fruit – Had enough of this growing on our fence – delicious juice when served very cold.

Paw Paw (Papaya) – It was an acquired taste for me but now I just love eating it.

Penny-Piece - OK, I got a photo and some information... not much pulp but sweet! This fruit is also known as 'chocky apple'. 

Portugals aka Potigal is a favorite fruit similar to mandarins

Peewah and Kerikel - I wasn't a lover of these/to each his own.This fruit is a member of the palm tree family and is also related to the gru gru that kids love so much.

Pineapple – Who doesn’t love pineapple?

Plums - I am talking about the regular plums that you find in the back yards of Trini homes. The green ones are great as a kid's desert with salt and 'bird peppers'. The ripe ones are yellow and are loved by the birds.

Pois Doux- This is a very unusual fruit but has a good taste to it... I doubt that it will be one that you would have a craving for though.

Pommecythre – If you don’t like pommecythre then something is really wrong with you. When they are ripe they are a delight and when pickled in salt water and pepper … exotic. Also known as June Plum and Golden Apple.

Pomegranate - This is one of the top ten fruits to use. It has been used to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Research shows that it can be effective against various forms of cancer and also Alzheimer's disease.

Pommerac – This fruit is known elsewhere as the Otaheite Apple (Maple Apple). They had to be really ripe to be enjoyed; some people craved it. I simply ate it if it was available but I was not a love of this fruit.

Primrose - This fruit is also known as "Rose Apple". I was told that you can get this fruit in Paramin (in the Northern Range). Well at least Gail (Wack Radio Shoutbox) told me that you can find them in Paramin.

Sapodilla (Naseberry) – OMG so delicious.The outer color is brown and when ripe is so delicious.

Roucou - I remember this was used for food coloring... I loved squishing them and getting my hands red!


Series (Cerise) – This is a kid's delight! Purple in color when ripe; we used to roll them between our palms until soft then suck the content out - yes the good 'ole' days!

Shaddock - Better known as Pink Grapefruit

Stinking Toe – One of my favorite but not easy to pick from the tree.




Sour Cherries - Sour? Hell yes, but with salt and pepper is a great treat!

Soursop (Guanabana) – The drinks were simply delicious served cold (with ice) on a hot day.

Sugar Apple – I can't recall eating this fruit; it is also known as Sweet Sop. I may be confusing this one with Cachima. If I did eat this fruit I simply can't recall at this time.

Sugar cane – Goes without saying – we love it!

Sorrel - Come on, christmas is not the same without sorrel.This fruit is also known as Roselle or Rosella fruit.

Tamarind (tambran) – Yummy - "Tambran sauce & Tramban balls". The 'Chiney tambran' is round and soft.

Tamarind Dayzah aka 'Chiney Tambran' - This is an unusual fruit that is very soft inside. I remember eating this on because (fortunately) one of our neighbors had a tree in their yard. This is not the kind of fruit that would cause your 'mouth to water'!

Tangerine - We like to call this fruit 'Potigal' (Portugal)

Tonka fruit,(Tanka) Bean – “Doh eat it or else you will get short breath” – yea right, I love eating tonka beans!

Tipitambo (Topi Tambo) - Is this a fruit? I thought you had to did it out of the ground? Hey but it is nice to eat!

Watermelon – But of course we love it.

Zaboca (Avocado) - I like the round ones that are like butter inside/put it in bread with a lil salt...now we talking.