Nkeonye Judith IZUKA

Certainly not me, as over the years I have mastered a recipe that still gets me excited thinking of it. Looking for a spicy quick fix, long before the hunger pangs give you a beating, look no further. Our goal is to make spicy noodles garnished with butter, prawns, gizzard and mixed vegetables.

Where on earth did this extra 3 inches come from? The increased girth around my midsection? Yes! I am referring to my expanded waist and hip-lines! Couple of months ago, I was incredibly worried something was wrong with me. Why? Despite my being a foodie, never skipping meals and persistent late-night snacking, I never seemed to pile up the pounds. I was as slim as someone on a dedicated restrictive diet. As a healthcare personnel, I have the tendency to diagnose myself with all sorts. Thus, I had no qualms pinning some illness to myself as proof of my loving relationship with food and no weight gain to show. Now I had the extra weight and I was mortified!

There are not very many things that stick with me year to year. Many things seem to be in a flux. Music is one exception. It hasn't gone anywhere. That’s my catalyst for getting chores done, my means for escape when 'it gets too much' and my gateway to prayer. It just seems to make things better and easier. It's like seeing the world through rose coloured glasses, especially in a quarantine and having the opportunity to define your world exactly as you want it.

I see you when I walk into the store. You stock away at those shelves so dutifully. You appear, almost oblivious to the current pandemic, not because you do not care but because you have chosen to play your part. Oh, and that smile that comes like cherry on the cake. Thank you.

Are you an avid shopper? Are you one of those who have a therapeutic experience walking down the aisles of supermarkets or grocery stores? Then you might be having some dilemma with this pandemic. You might be forced to make some [serious] adjustments to the way you shop.