I have been cooking all my life. Yet several decades in, I could not make one of my homeland’s most iconic national dishes—Guyana’s pepper pot. The thought of replicating this dish, filled with memories of my childhood and my mom, overwhelmed me. I solicited input from friends and family to take on this task, only…
After reading Ezra Pound’s biography on the Poetry Foundation website, my eye landed on a small tic-tac-toe design at the bottom of the page. For a class assignment, I had been asked to try something unusual. Here was a familiar game offering an unexpected possibility: what if I filled the squares with words? I began…
Four linked haibun of a Guyanese childhood In a recurring dream, water offers an escape, and a passage home. These four linked haibun move through that doorway into childhood: Easter kites, a bucket of dung for my mother’s garden, and the rituals meant to keep us safe. In My Dream A shadow in a dour…
Depression is a serious and common mental health problem that affects millions of Americans. In the US alone, about a third of adults experience depression, based on a Census Survey cited by Kaiser Family Foundation. Yet, many people do not seek help or treatment due to the stigma and shame that surround mental illness. This…
To my brother, Buckley, with love. It’s been two years since we said goodbye. Smiling you embraced life’s winding courseA life profoundly real like a river’s forceWith your family by your side, your guiding starYour pride in them, an anchor never far. A craftsman by heart, a boxer tooNavigating life’s intricate path, like a sailor…
Time Out Market Lisbon is a food hall in the heart of Lisbon. It’s a culinary paradise showcasing Portuguese cuisine, a must-visit spot for travelers, locals, and food enthusiasts. You can savor everything from Bacalhau to Pastel de Nata here. The food hall’s journey began in 2014 when the travel magazine Time Out opened its…
Are you looking for a simple and effective way to boost your wellbeing and happiness? If so, you’ll be thrilled to discover the incredible benefits of keeping a gratitude journal. I don’t journal consistently, but when I do, it makes such a difference in how I frame difficult situations. And I’m not alone. According to…
Mindfulness, a practice that has been around for centuries, is gaining popularity in our fast-paced world as an effective way to find inner peace and improve overall well-being. There is research to support the benefits of mindfulness. According to American Psychological Association, “Researchers reviewed more than 200 studies of mindfulness among healthy people and found mindfulness-based…
The grandeur of Aix-en-Provence slowly unfolded as the taxi rolled onto the famed thoroughfare, Cours Mirabeau which is lined with grand homes built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Directly ahead, the La Ratonde fountain rose out of the ground in all its glory, claiming its rightful position at the historic city’s center. More than…
I like chickpeas so much that I will eat them right out of the can. And I do. Yes, you heard that right … out of the can. However, I can quickly transform these humble beans into a savory, slightly spicy dish. Curry does the magic. I grew up eating this dish as a snack…
I fell in love with crepes before I even set foot in France. My favorite crepe recipe I used came from a cookbook I bought for my daughters just before we moved from the U.S. to Austria in 2002. Then in their pre-teens, my daughters were keen on cooking, so I was browsing the cookbook…
If you travel a lot, you know going through TSA is no joke. In fact, it’s the reason you now have to arrive at least two hours before flight time for a domestic flight, and three to four hours for an international one. Listen, I understand the importance of maintaining safety and security for all…