Seasoning your meats...

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     Do you remember the last time you went for an event and you ate that bad steak? The one that was too salty, or not enough salt? Or that really expensive restaurant you went to and their pepper steak was more of pepper than steak? Or when you one time went a bit to far with the Rosemary leaves...the question then becomes, is it that hard to season meat? 

     Nah, it ain't. The secret? Patience. The stage at which you seasoning meat is the stage that makes it tender and succulent, when you take your first bite, it's a little hard and crispy on the outside but juicy and soft on the inside with a little hint of a fatty taste, if done just right. Achieving perfection taketh time!

     When you are handling meat, you need to ensure that you have ample time to prepare it - when you rush the end result is always a disaster. Understand a few facts about seasoning - Different meats have different spices and you do not have to put all your spices to make your meat taste good. In fact, sometimes no spices is the best thing.

    

     Let me breakdown a few spices that are good with certain types of meat. After you read this, go and rearrange your spices drawer...

• BEEF; Basil, Black / Green Pepper, Cayenne, Cumin, Curry Powder, Onions, Sage, Rosemary & Lemongrass.
• POULTRY: Basil, Bay Leaf, Cinnamon, Curry Powder, Marjoram, Mint, Paprika, Parsley, Lemongrass, Sage, Saffron, Thyme & Rosemary
• FISH; Curry Powder, Cayenne, Dill Seeds, Marjoram, Sage, Thyme, Mint, Onions, Paprika, Parsley, Red Pepper, Sesame seeds & Turmeric
• LAMB; Cinnamon, Cumin, Curry Powder, Thyme, Garlic, Oregano & Basil
• PORK; Cloves, Coriander, Ginger, Paprika, Sage, Savory & Dry Mustard Powder.
• VEAL; Black Pepper, Curry Powder, Parsley, Lemon, Ginger, Paprika, Mint, oregano, Dill, Saffron & Sage
• LAMB; Cinnamon, Cumin, Curry Powder, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, Onion & Garlic

     Or some of them. The list is not complete and you do not really have to follow this to the letter. A little mix to your steak does not hurt. The most important seasoning there is, is salt. Before you grill your meat, it is recommended that you salt it at least 30 - 40 mins before your put it on the grill. Salt is a dessicant (it induces a state of dryness) as it draws the moisture to the surface, but after a while, this moisture thus gradually goes back into the meat, tenderizing it. Salt also breaks down the meat, making it more succulent. This though you should only do to tough meats, it you have a soft steak this process will just make it softer thus spoiling your steak. You can add pepper to your meat at the same time with the salt, but some chefs say this gives the steak a smoky taste as the pepper burns when it comes into contact with the heat. Though if you are on for a smoky juicy steak, that's how to do it!

     Marinating steaks is also a good way to rev up a boring steak. Sauces added to the steak in it's preparation stages can really make your meal something else! Why don'y you try these two recipes and tell us how they work out for you! Marinate your steaks in;

1. Soy sauce and Worsteshire sauce for about an hour before grilling them

2. Mix and mash lemon, garlic and some nice fresh herbs (dhania perhaps). Lemon  juice, crushed garlic, salt & pepper. Marinate your steak for about an hour and grill!!

Farming in Kenya- Getting started

More young people are setting their sights onto farming. If you are an aspiring farmer, here’s how to get started

First and foremost, you need to identify what you would like to grow, whether you would like bees or a fish pond etc. This will help you pretty much determine everything else.

If you want to grow fresh produce, you need to do a bit of research before you get started. Find out how the plant is grown, how long it takes to maturity as well as which conditions it will thrive in.

This will help you determine where you are going to grow it for example, you cannot grow wheat in Kitui but it will thrive in Rift Valley. In addition to that, you will need to budget well for all the months you are going to be farming. The plant will need fertilizers, pesticides and labourers so make sure you take all this into account.

Looking for land

You do not need to be a land owner to start farming. You can lease land from other land owners. Prices vary depending on the place but each region has an average rate mostly on a monthly basis. Ensure that the land you get has favourable conditions for the kind of plants you want to grow.

Looking for market is also important as you need to sell your produce as soon as it is harvested. If you can find a market in advance, this is even better. Common markets include; vegetable and fruit vendors, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels and the local consumers as well as the international market.

 If you are looking to deal with the international market, it is important that you identify the market before you start growing your produce. Go through different websites online that can connect you to different multinationals who import groceries in their countries. The reason you are advised to find the international market beforehand is because some of them have strict conditions as to how the plant is grown. They may suggest a different kind of fertilizer depending on their needs. This information is important as you will need it on the farm grounds.

The local markets can be found easily. Approach restaurants and supermarkets with your fresh produce; you might just clinch yourself a good deal to supply it for a period of time. This will require consistency in your part and a continuous supply of fresh produce so long as your contract lasts.

Farming can take up a lot of money and once you sell your harvest, take a pen and paper and calculate the costs against your final income. Was it worth it? If it was, then maybe you should lease more land or diversify. Just keep growing!

Healthy skin do's and don'ts.

Did you know that your skin is the largest organ you have? No? Now you do, and that's why you need to keep reading this blog. Taking care of your skin is one of the most important ways to keep healthy, so gentlemen, this article is for you too! 

The skin is the first outwardly sign of what's going on on the inside. Most times we suffer from an allergy attack present themselves as rashes or reddening of the affected areas. When you feel cold, you develop goosebumps and when it's hot, you sweat. It's all about your skin. We tend to take care of our skins when it is too late, you run for the sun screen in your 300's yet you spent every December in your 20's at the beach in Coasto..

the good news is that you can always "cure" yourself naturally aka cheaply :) I say cure because our bodies are amazing at catching up to the point it should be, no matter what age you are and many people are living proof of how a healthy diet can improve ones skin health. Keeping your skin healthy and supple ensures you stay healthy too on the inside!

To start off, you need to up your water intake. Not Soda, not a sports drink, not juice (although healthy), just drink no drown,  in water. In the hot season, our bodies sweat to balance the temperatures in our bodies, this also leads to dehydration. When it is cold, your body uses up a lot more heat in keeping you warm, thus needs more fuel - water to keep you going. So we need water through out. The way to test if you are dehydrated - pinch your skin. Is it dry and flaky? Does it snap back into place or gradually goes there? With dry, dull & flaky skin, your outside does not protect your inside from the environmental effects that can make you & I ill. If you up your daily intake, the results are noticeable within days. Some may tell you to put in lemon slices to your water and drink every morning. This is partly true- lemon water is GREAT for the skin, but lemon juice is very harsh on the teeth so the more you drink it, the weaker they make your teeth. So drink lemon water in moderation and make sure it is well diluted.

Eat more fruits and vegetables and the more colorful the better. We're talking Carrots, Pumpkins, Sweet Potatoes, Red hoho colorful! These are high in many important nutrients, fiber phytochemicals and antioxidants that make them your a top priority in promoting healthy skin. They help to fight free radicals caused by all our bad habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake, sunburn and many others.  The Vitamin c from Oranges, Lemons, Spinach etc help in effectively reducing the signs of aging. With Vit C's astrigent properties, it can be used to diminish scars and lighten the skin tone - you can rub the inside of a lemon on your elbows to lighten to remove dark spots. 

Vit E is also very good for the skin but we do not produce enough needed by our bodies, thus must supplement. Foods such as Almonds, Avocado, Hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, Fish are all great sources of vitamins, minerals & fiber & Selenium, another powerful antioxidant. Vit E also acts as a natural bleach too that diminishes scars and helps to reduce the signs of aging by deactivating free radicals, it helps to heal sunburns and certain skin disorders as it is very nourishing and moisturizing to your skin. Selenium rich foods are also encouraged for those with Acne or are prone to acne outbursts. Collagen strengthens the capillaries that supply the skin, so it makes sense that you should gorge on these -Apples, Broccoli, Blueberries, Blackberries, Guava, Kiwi, Oranges, Pawpaws, Strawberries & Sweet Potatoes.

Do not be afraid of fat! Well, the good kind! Monounsaturated & Polyunsaturated fats found in Avocado and Fish, nuts and seeds provide essential fatty acids which as a natural moisturizer for your skin.

Bananas are a good source of Magnesium, Potassium & Iron, contain Vitamins A, B B, & E - jush mash up a banana and wear it as a mask :) you can do this to pawpaws to -  a special enzyme called papain can kill dead cells and cure skin impurities. Mangoes are also great in restoring skin elasticity. (they are in season)

Take up a regular sport - biking, hiking, swimming or whatever you fancy. Exercise helps to tone your skin and improves on blood circulation. Be sure to wear sunscreen as you step out for your regular jog, anything above SPF 15 is a good choice.

Do not take showers that are too hot. Hot waters burns the skin and strips away its natural oils leaving your skin open and vulnerable making it dry out and toughen. Have lukewarm showers instead, they are not as fun but they work just as well - rinse your face with cool water too rather than hot.

I have not even begun exhausting the ways to keep your skin fit and supple, these are just but a few. If your skin is extra dry, cut an aloe vera stem and spread the gel over the dry area. The acids in the aloe eat away dead skin cells and speed up the healing process.

And do not keep touching your face! From all the surfaces we touch in a day, touching your face with unclean hands just transfers all that germ and bacteria to your face.

What tips do you think we should know about? Share with us, let's all get that youthful glow!

Keeping it cool in the Sun!

Where'd the rain go? i thought this was the rainy season, but noooo, the blazing sun just had to make an appearance! Maybe this is what they mean by climate change....So now that plans and your wardrobe must change, below are a few ways on how to keep cool and hydrated in the heat!

• Water -  the most important and obvious way to keep cool & cheap! Get yourself a water bottle, found in every supermarket- they go for about KES 150/- moving up. just fill up your bottle on your way out to work and you can just sip at it all day.
• Aim for foods with high water content to supplement your water intake. look for mainly red - pigmented fruits  & vegetables which contain Lycopene, such as Red hoho, Tomatoes and my favorite....dark chocolate! (That's what the experts said!)
• Melons! Lot's  & lot's of Melons! They are a very juicy & tasty & healthy way to hydrate. And Melons are so red they are fun to eat! especially for the little ones, if you cannot get them to drink water cut these up into tiny fun shapes for them to nibble on. with its 92% water content, they tend to make you feel full too. OH- they are in season, Mangoes too!
• For those who do not like water or prefer a little taste to your water, you may have a natural sports drink. they contain carbohydrates which provide energy and electrolytes that get lost in your sweat. You may also opt for fruit juices, they too provide electrolytes and are nutritious without adding unnecessary calories to your diet.

Now, for a few things to avoid;

• Alcohol. It is a diuretic, all it does is dehydrate you even more leaving your body tired, your skin dry & flaky and your liver overworked. If you would like to have a drink, take it in stride with water to balance the levels in your system. Having a hang over on a hot day is not a great way to spend your day...
• Caffeine has the same effect as alcohol, it dehydrates you. so instead of your usual tea or coffee in the offices, have hot chocolate or juice instead.
• It would also be good to steer away from spicy foods - you know that heat wave that you get when you are having kachumbari at the local and you bite on the hidden pili pili?? Capsacin causes a short term rise in body temperature. You need that warmth when it starts raining again!

You may also want to eat light before you step out, heavy foods take a lot of energy to digest, raising your body temperature too. Enjoy the brief "summer" time!