Author: Pats

Happy World Environment Day!

A little goes a long way in conserving our environment. Here are some tips that can help with conservation:

At home:

• Use reusable cups/bottles for coffee, tea, soda and water.
• Make your own household items e.g. cleaning supplies, essential oils and hair care products. Get tips from online for “how to” videos.
• Time your shower to last for 5 minutes or less to save gallons of water.
• Reduce carbon footprint and driving mileage by walking or cycling to the market and buying in bulk to avoid many shopping trips.

At work:

• Use both sides of the printing paper before recycling.
• Store documents electronically on your computer or device.
• Trade in, donate or sell electronics that are in good condition.
• When throwing away electronics, remove the battery and dispose of it properly.

In the community:

• Support local vendors, farmers markets and shops using organic products.
• Plant trees and join environmental conversation initiatives/organizations in your community.

“We need to promote development that does not destroy our environment”

– Wangari Maathai

It’s exciting to be invited to an out of town event including weddings, graduations among other ceremonial celebrations. Below are some out of town travel tips:-

• Budget and make room for contingencies.
• Pack fragile items e.g. fascinators, hats and other accessories separately to avoid damage.
• Remember to label your suitcase including your destination address and contacts in order to easily trace your bag if misplaced.
• If travelling by air, ship your bags directly to the final destination.
• Check the weather and carry items appropriate for the weather e.g. hats, sunglasses, water and umbrella.

*Have fun in the sun 🙂

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 egg
• ½  cup milk
• ½ cup water
• Oil, for frying

METHOD

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon. Make a well in the center, then mix in the egg, milk and water until the dough comes together.
2. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Dive the dough into 4 portions.
3. Roll out 1 portion of dough into a circle Cut into 8 triangles or use a glass to shape into circles. Repeat with the remaining dough portions.
4. Heat the oil in a large pot until it reaches 350˚F (180˚C).
5. Working in batches, fry the mandazi for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve as breakfast or a snack with coffee or chai.
6. Enjoy!       

Did you know?

There are many advantages of cooking as a family:

• Cooking teaches maths, science, language and problem solving skills.
• Cooking brings the family together.
• Cooking is a money saver.
• Cooking encourages time management.
• Cooking makes a happier healthier home!

Let’s cook!

Kids cook books now available on Amazon:

Spectacular Swaziland!

Sometime back, I visited The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) in the southern part of Africa and I was amazed by their rich culture so much that I learnt a little Swazi language. Below are some conversations I had with my friends from The Kingdom of Eswatini:

Hello – Saubona (singular), Sanibonani (plural)

How are you? –               Unjani

I’m fine –              Nyaphila

I’m fine and you? –         Wena Ke

My name is Pat      –         Lami ngu Pat

I am from Kenya – Ngiwase Kenya

Good bye (stay well) –     Sala kahle

Go well –                          Hamba kahle

As I was going through my published books, I came across the topic “Survival Tips for Running a Successful Business” from Pat’s Make-up Business Tips and Bits. I got these tips from my research papers and also from interviewing some successful entrepreneurs. These tips can apply to a Make-up business and any other business one would like to engage in. Without much further ado, below are the tips:

• Budget for the business – calculate funds needed each month to run the business, budget for purchases for each month and create an inventory to enable you to scale down where necessary.
• Be prepared to work long hours to meet the client needs and expectations.
• Build a network with fellow entrepreneurs e.g. with young business and professionals clubs and associations. These are great support networks.
• Create your presence first online an on social media where people can see your services and products offered.  This can at first be started on your own then once the business is established you can hire a marketing company.

• Create a niche and have unique offers e.g. offer services that are well done and complete in 30 minutes/1 hour record time.
• Invest in your business – use the income gained during the initial stage of business to funnel back into inventory and marketing to grow the business.
• Listen to your customers – they might give you tips on how to grow your business and how to become a healthy competitor.

**These tips were extracted from Pat’s Make-up Business Tips and Bits. For more tips grab your copy today from the link below:

Beef Pilau

Ingredients

2 teaspoons ground pilau masala

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground garlic

1 teaspoon ground ginger

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 onion sliced

1 tomato sliced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

¼ kg boiled beef cubes

2 potatoes diced

4 cups water

2 cups rice

Method

1. Heat oil with salt, garlic, ginger and sliced onions until the onions turn golden brown.
2. Add beef, stir for 5 minutes then add tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add potatoes and rice, stir lightly then add boiled water. Reduce heat and let it cook.

*Serve warm.

Tip: To avoid rice clumping, you can place a piece of bread on top of your pot, put the lid back on and allow to sit for 5 – 10 minutes. The extra liquid will be absorbed by the bread.

Kachumbari

Ingredients

1 onion diced

2 tomatoes diced

½ teaspoon salt

1 lemon

2 tablespoons parsley chopped.

Method

1. Place the diced onion in a bowl, add salt.
2. Massage the onion in the salt then add warm water and let it stand for 5 minutes.
3. Drain the onions and add the diced tomatoes. Stir, squeeze the lime juice and sprinkle the chopped parsley.

*Serve cold.

**This recipe is an extract from Kenyan Granny Meg’s Recipe. Grab a copy today!

Well, just a short inspirational message for the mid-year….

Wherever you go, whatever you do, put your best foot forward. Keep moving forward even when times are tough. Keep your eyes on the price. Work hard, pray hard, be determined to achieve your goals and you will succeed.

All the best!

There is a popular tale I would like to share.  Once, there was an old man who decided to retire from his business and wanted his son to inherit the business.  He gave his son an old gold watch which had not been polished and sent him to the market to ask for the selling price. 

The people in the market wanted to buy it for $20.  He went back and reported to his father. Then the father sent him to the antique shop. The antique shop keeper wanted to buy it for $200.  He went back and reported to his father.  Then his father sent him to a museum and when the man at the museum saw the old gold watch, he polished it and was amazed at it and said he would buy it for $2000.

The young man went back to his father to report.  His father told him that the moral of the story is to know your worth.  You are worth what you think you are worth so you make the best out of this life with all the skills you have.  Do not sell yourself too small. Each of us has great value within us.

The following are time and money saving travel tips:-

• Pack for everyday.  It will save you time during the trip every morning looking for clothes, what to wear and what to match.
• Decide to have a list of what you want to do each day, have an itinerary to save on time.
• Look at the best deals on offer to save money.
• Opt for all inclusive hotels to save on food expenses.
• Save as much as you can but also make sure that you have fun during travel.

*This is an extract from the book – Pats Travel Tips – Kenya Eco-Travel Tips and Stories. Now available on Amazon (E-Book & Paper back)

Deadheading is a process of plucking dead flowers from plants in order to maintain a plant’s appearance and for a better blossom. Deadheading flowers involves pinching or cutting off the flower stem below the dead flowers or shearing. Eventually , you will get a second wave of beautiful blossoms to enjoy!

In life sometimes we have to cut off toxic links including toxic relationships, a toxic work environment, toxic habits that lead to addictions among other issues. Once we are able to break free from the toxic links, we are able to grow better just as the deadheaded flowers bloom and blossom.

Grow bigger, Grow better, Grow wiser!