Prepare this Tanzanian dish for the New Years! HERI Ya MWAKA MPYA!

HERI Ya MWAKA MPYA (Happy New Year!)

If you're anything like me, you are constantly seeking to expand your culinary abilities. Add a new dish to your repertoire. Ring in the new year with another tried and tasted recipe from Tanzania. A delicious interpretation of the dish Bilriani Rice accompanied by goat stew. The concept behind this dish requires patience, which allows for some creativity on your part. You can make a delicious, colorful dish with that WOW factor that your dinner guests will admire. Many elements of the dish are modifiable (the protein that you use, perhaps chicken instead of goat), a bit more salt to taste, and seasonal ingredients (if fresh papaya is hard to come by, substitute it with live yogurt). Fresh papaya (enzyme activity) and yogurt (live bacteria) both serve to soften tougher meat such as goat when used as a marinade. In Tanzanian cuisine sliced carrots and green peppers are a welcome addition to many stewed dishes, but feel free to add your favorite veggies.

Ingredients that you will need:

Meat marinade,

1 lb mbusi (goat meat) in chopped pieces

1 quarter papai (papaya) &/or 1 cup yogurt

Grated/mashed ginger

Mashed 2 cloves garlic

For the Bilriani sauce,

½ 1b potatoes

1 – 2 onions

Approx. 4 tblsp tomato paste

1 – 2 green peppers

1 – 2 sticks of carrot

2 – 3 tomatoes

2 tblspn bilriani spice*

½ tsp curry powder

2 tblspn Soy sauce

For the rice,

1 ¼ cup jasmine rice

½ liter water

1 tsp salt

¼ cup oil

1 – 2 onions

Approx. 1 tsp each non-powder spices: whole cumin, cloves, whole black pepper, cinnamon sticks

Optional, can add powdered spices** to the rice for a spicier flavor.

Technique:

1^st marinate the goat meat in the papaya/yogurt, ginger, and garlic for 2 hours

Mashed fresh ginger, papaya, garlic (Some would be portioned for use in this recipe)

2^nd slice/ dice veggies, potatoes in preparation for cooking

3^rd [2 hours later] in a pot boil the marinated meat, adding just enough water to cover, until meat becomes tender

4^th In a separate pan fry the potatoes, onions, add tomato paste, peppers, carrots, diced tomatoes.

Add the bilriani powdered spice* and curry powder

Add the soy sauce

5^th Add all ingredients to the pot of boiled meat, simmer until all ingredients are cooked (sauce should be thick)

[and meanwhile…]

Start preparing the bilriani rice

6^th In a separate pot add the salt to the water then bring to a boil

7^th Add the jasmine rice

8^th Cook the rice in a boil for 10 minutes, then strain/drain well

9^th Fry the diced onion on medium heat until soft and translucent with a dark brown color (watch carefully to avoid burning) in ¼ cup oil. Optional: add the non-powder whole spices: cumin, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon sticks. For spicier rice, optionally: add the powdered spices.**

10^th Incorporate the rice, fried onion and spices into a pot (suitable for baking) or in a rice cooker; stir thoroughly. Add a tiny amount of food color directly onto the rice in alternating color strips (refer to illustration of what the pot of rice might look like, from the top, after adding food coloring in sections). Leave some of the rice uncolored. Cook rice until finished cooking (10-15 minutes if baked).

The rice depicted here was wholly colored red.

11^th Stir the cooked rice so that the colored rice is distributed throughout the uncolored rice, for a potpourri effect. On the side, or in a separate dish, serve the goat meat in the sauce. Enjoy!

Note: For the powdered spices that I mentioned above, I use used prepared spice mixes purchased from Tanzania. However, with a spice grinder you can simply make these spice mixes for yourself from scratch. 

* For the Bilriani sauce I add 2 tablespoons of ‘Zanzibar Taste’. This special mix can be prepared by grinding whole spices into a powdered form in the following ratio of most to least: Cinnamon, Clove, Cumin, Cardamom, Ginger, Coriander, Black pepper.

**For the Bilriani rice I might add 2 tablespoons of ‘Zanzibar Biriani Masala’ for a more spiced version of the dish; however, this addition is optional. I would make a spicy rice to accompany a simple protein, not the spicy version of protein described in this recipe. You can make a spicy bilriani rice dish by including the powdered form of the following spices (in the ratio of most to least): Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Ginger, Coriander, Cumin.

Giving Birth Abroad: Germany

Giving birth while living abroad can be a daunting prospect. The fifth instalment [sic] of The Local's series Motherhood in the Fatherland follows expectant mum Sabine Devins as she handles the cultural quirks of having a baby in Germany.

Read more of "The midwife: Your best friend in natal care" here.

Can web browsers bring clean water to folks on the other side of the globe?

I found this website online and find it quite inspiring.

Stuart writes "I have everything I need, so this year for my birthday I'm asking for gifts in the form of donations to MyCharityWater.org so we can fund clean water projects. My goal is to raise $1,000 and give 50 people life-sustaining water.

PLEASE HELP ME TURN UP THE LOVE by making a donation. Let's get wet up in heeyaahhh!!!

I am really excited and grateful to be turning 40, and to have such wonderful friends and co-creators in my life. This is truly what I think would be the most wonderful and fun way to spend my 40th birthday, knowing we turned up the LOVE and made a difference. I am lucky to have many amazing friends, and this will truly be the greatest way to say THANK YOU to you all on my 40th (which is January 11th).

Every donation will be the most amazing gift, and I will bow and giggle in gratitude. Somersault prostrations, disco Buddhas!"

Click to watch more.

Click to read more http://www.mycharitywater.org/p/campaign?campaign_id=11965
100% of your donation directly funds clean water projects in developing nations.

Note: Content unverified.

Love & Marriage: Tips For Steamy and Safe Sex During Pregnancy

The idea of getting it on while you have a little passenger might be kind of daunting, but have no fear! Your sex life needn’t be placed on hold for nine months, as experts say that not only can pregnant sex safe, but it can be incredibly hot as well. Here are eight tips to make your three trimesters just a little bit more enjoyable! By SisterToldja

Click here to read more.

The International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative (IMBCI) Meeting

I am optimistically hopeful about my plans to attend the annual International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative (IMBCI) Meeting on Tuesday, 18 October 2011. The meeting is part of the larger 'Midwifery Today Conference' entitled “Preserving Our Traditions, Improving Our Skills” which will take place in Bad Wildbad, Germany on19–23 October, 2011. Doulas play such a key role in policy transformation and protecting women's rights, I am really so proud. How exciting!

Grassroots Initiative to Protect Women's Birthing Rights in Germany

Midwives in Germany earn around 237 Euros for a birth in the hospital, 445 Euros for a birth in a birthing centre, and 537 Euros for a home birth. But this is not sufficient to cover ever-increasing insurance costs. As compensation for the increase in the liability premiums, the health insurance plans provide midwives with an additional 4.39 Euros per hospital birth and 14.19 Euros for a non-hospital birth. This is not nearly enough to cover the cost of the ever-rising insurance premiums and midwives end up working to pay the insurance, rather than working to live.  The annual salary for midwives (before taxes and other required fees) is around 23,300 Euros. After all costs are taken away, a midwife earns around 7.50 Euros per hour.

As a result, birth centres are closing, midwives are being laid off, and some midwives are opting only to offer prenatal education and postnatal support, rather than helping moms deliver babies. This not only threatens midwifery as a career option, but also threatens the access of mothers to a midwife as their birth attendant. Currently, about 1/4 of German births are attended by a midwife (compared with between 2% and 5% in the Canadian provinces where public health care covers midwifery services ref: Canadian Institutes of Health Information). If the situation remains as is, those numbers will certainly drop. A drop in the number of midwife attended births in Germany, not only means fewer midwife attended births, but also greater pressure on other birth attendants (i.e. obstetricians).

In an attempt to find a solution to this problem, the German midwives have organized an e-petition and are collecting signatures in an attempt to force the Budestag (German Parliament) to discuss this situation.

Click here to read more. 

Authentic Tanzanian Mandazi Recipe in Six Simple Steps

This recipe is authentic, tried and tasted, and the outcome is delicious. The mandazi (pronounced: man-dah-zee) is a delicious light home-made donut widely eaten in Tanzania, and elsewhere in East Africa. It can be made to accommodate a variety of sweetness preferences and has just a hint of coconut flavor. It can be spiced or eaten, as below, as a simple fried dough snack. Mandazis cost between 100 and 250 shillings (roughly 10-25 cents) and are served at duka's (small local shops) or on nearly every corner by merchants trolling on foot. They are often still warm when served and wrapped in yesterdays newspaper. I survived by refueling on these little carbohydrate bites, which I frequently bought along the road, especially while traveling by foot.

What you will need:

rolling pin

flat surface (to roll the dough on)

cookie cutters or a glass with wide rim

Ingredients:

The 2nd or 3^rd strain of fresh coconut milk (One coconut)

½ teaspoon yeast 

¾ cup sugar

¼ cup oil

oil for frying

*Can infuse with cardamum to flavor the oil or coconut milk prior to cooking for additional flavor

Step 1:

Gently swirl together dry ingredients, adding cup by cup of flour (b/w 3 and 4 cups total)

Step 2: 

Sprinkle light flour on flat surface and knead the dough

Step 3:

Let dough sit for 10-15 mins.

Step 4:

Roll to ½ inch thick and cut circle shapes. Put on a floured pan.

Reroll remaining dough into flat shape and cut into circle shapes, until all dough is consumed

Step 5:

Wait 1-2 hours for dough to rise

To make proper donuts, just find a smaller rimmed glass to cut out a whole in the circles before frying. 

Step 6: 

Heat oil into pan and fry until golden brown

Serve with chai (tea)!

Final ingredient: 
cooking with confidence, repeat while cooking,  "Ninaweza kupika chakula kitamu." ("I am able to cook delicious food!")

If the food was prepared for you, don't forget to say "asante sana" ("Thank you very much!")

Can Muslims Participate in the New Germany? (video)

Great Video Shows What a Doula Contributes

Watch this video to get a succinct visual explanation of what choosing a doula will do to improve your birth experience. As a Dona trained doula I recommend the content of this film. Enjoy!

What I will do for you as your Doula?

P A R T I C I P A T O R Y    W O M A N H O O D

As I get my doula and health education services "Participatory Womanhood" launched, a few questions answered about what I will do for you as your Doula?

As a doula, I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. I have completed training approved by the Doulas of North America (DONA) International, including childbirth education and labor support; as well as continuing certification training by Childbirth International (CBI); and completion of the academic course “The fundamentals of breastfeeding.”  I am a professional member of DONA International and CBI, recognized certification bodies.

I have also completed training by the NYC Administration for Children’s Services on “Latest methods for conducting child safety and risk assessments,” “Restorative parenting, methods of working with abusive partners in the aftermath of violence in the home.”I was trained by CONNECT NYC on the “Connections between child sexual abuse and domestic violence” and by the Supportive Children's Advocacy Network of NY on the “Criminal Justice System & domestic violence victim rights.”

I draw upon my knowledge and experience as a doula, educator, and public health adviser (having received my Masters of Public Health & Epidemiology from Yale University) in order to provide emotional support, physical comfort and, as needed, communication with other caregivers to make sure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions as they arise in labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner (if present), make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort. I am independent and self-employed. As your doula, I am working for you, not your caregiver or hospital.

Choosing a Doula

I prefer to meet with you (and your partner or other support person, if applicable) at least once before labor to become acquainted, to explore and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns, and to plan how we might best work together. The first meeting does not obligate you to use my services and we can discuss my fees at that time. Prior to the birth I would like to become familiar with your Birth Plan, including your preferences regarding labor management options and the use of pain medications.

I also want to learn about your own best ways of coping with pain and fatigue and how you and your partner (if applicable) foresee working together. I will also inform you of times when I am not available for labor support. To cover those times, I will arrange one (or more) back-up doula(s). We will also decide on other meeting times and will certainly want to remain in touch by telephone.

When you are in labor

Please call me when you think you are in labor, even if you are not sure. I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. We will decide if I should come right over then or wait for further changes. I usually need approximately one to two hours to get to you from the time you ask me to come. We will also decide where to meet - at your home or your selected birth place. Except for extraordinary circumstances, I or my back-up will remain with you throughout labor and birth.

  

After the birth

I usually remain with you for one or two hours, until you are comfortable, your questions are answered and your family is ready for quiet time together. I would also be happy to help with initial breastfeeding if necessary. I am available for phone contact to answer questions about the birth and your baby and would like to get together with you within one to two weeks to see how you are doing, to review the birth, to admire your baby, and to get feedback from you about my role.

 What Doulas do not do

As a Doula, I do not:

• Perform clinical tasks, such as taking blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, and others. I am there to provide only physical comfort, emotional and informational support and advocacy.

• Make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision. I will also remind you if there is a departure from your Birth Wishes.

• Speak to the staff instead of you regarding matters where decisions are made. I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, and I will help you identify key questions that may help you with your decisions, but you or your partner would be the best person to speak to the clinical staff.

In the event of a rapid labor or emergency situation, I will call 911.

In the event of an emergency delivery I will do what measures I am capable of to try to keep you and the baby safe and comfortable until EMS arrives. This will fall under The Good Samaritan Law.

Some Doula Statistics…

Decreased medical intervention in labor*:

·         Reduces need for cesarean by 26%

·         Reduces the need for forceps or vacuum extractor by 41%

·         Reduces use of pain medication by 28%

·         Reduces dissatisfaction with birth by 33%

·         Reduces length of labor

 6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:

·         Less anxious and depressed

·         Had more confidence with baby

·         More satisfied w/ partner

·         More likely to be breastfeeding

 *These statistics appear in Hodnett E, Gates S, Hofmeyr G, Sakala C. Continuous support for women during childbirth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003. Issue 3, Art. No. CD003766. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003766. For more about the research, see http://www.dona.org/publications/position_paper_birth.php

Since 1980, research has been done to determine the benefits of doula assisted births. These studies showed that there were significant decreases in birth interventions including:

• 50 % decrease in cesarean births
• 60 % decrease in epidurals
• 40 % decrease in the use of pitocin
• 30% decrease in the use of narcotics
• 30% decrease in the use of forceps
• Overall, a 25% decrease in the length of labor

You an learn more in the book “Mothering the Mother, How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth” by Marshall H. Klaus, John H. Kennell, Phyllis H. Klaus.

Please click on the link on my page to purchase this book!

To find out more about hiring me as your doula click here.

Participatory Development – New Project in Tonga

Just think for a moment what it is like when someone has come onto your turf and told you how to fix a problem. Very occasionally their advice is spot on, more often they have misunderstood the situation you are in and so offer advice that is wide of the mark. More often still, while we appreciate their support we actually want to solve things in our own way and in our own time. That way it will be the right solution and the solution we can best live with.

Not surprisingly, development work that addresses poverty alleviation is exactly the same. Unless we seek the input and involvement of local communities the whole way through so that it is really “their solution” the work will nearly always miss the mark or worse still, be totally inappropriate.

That’s why participatory development that seeks the full involvement and regular feedback of the local community must be the basis of everything we do.

Click here to read more.

Community-Led Sanitation

Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) is a radically different way to help rural villages become and stay safe from the dangers of their own shit. CLTS requires field staff to become both provocative and participatory facilitators of complex individual and collective behaviour change processes. They are no longer simply disseminating leaflets and health messages prepared by experts in the capital city. For field staff to develop into skilful CLTS facilitators, they will require different training and ongoing support from their local managers than they have traditionally been provided with. The directive management style that has historically dominated must evolve into a more conducive coaching management style. But will front-line managers come to recognise this need to work differently with their field staff? Can they independently develop the attitudes and skills required to be more participatory and strategic managers? This article seeks to engage people who provide technical support to field-level CLTS managers, as a means of enhancing their capacity for management of their facilitators and programmes more broadly. The article shares the author’s own trial and error experience providing technical support to 12 local government CLTS management teams in Malawi. If successful, the article might facilitate other technical support providers to be ignited with a desire to change their own style of support for the better.

Read more click here.

Tanzanian Handcrafted Batiks for Sale

Handcrafted batiks are not unique to Tanzania, but they are definitely uniquely charming. When I returned to the US, arms laden with gifts of handcrafted batiks from Tanzania for my closest friends and family, I was promptly told off for not having more...to gift or sell. I would love to arrange sales to interested parties. I will post some of the pieces which I have purchased, including pillowcase/sheet sets, table cloth/linen complete sets, curtains ready for hook grommets, fabrics for clothing, children's/adult clothing. Designs may be personalized - my orders featured giraffes, ocean flora, zebras, elephants... Large and small orders may be accomodated. Price varies according to piece size, detail, and shipping location.

Batiks support families in Tanzania. Serious parties may contact me for further information.

Artist posing with her artwork

The artists own dress...a mainstay look for many Tanzanian women.

The artists own dress...a mainstay look for many Tanzanian women.

Participatory Womanhood: Participatory Development

I am presently launching my support services tailored to meet the maternal and sexual health needs of women throughout the lifespan. I saw firsthand the need for women to have an informed peer educator throughout my work in the Philippines, Tanzania, and the United States. I have enjoyed providing sexual and maternal health support to my friends and family throughout the years. My wish is to extend this service to others who may need it. 

I will provide confidential and discreet support to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay*. Please read further details here. I look forward to hearing from you. Women’s empowerment and education are integral components of participatory development. 

The development of healthy communities and families is dependent upon healthy, capable, women who can make good choices for themselves and their loved ones.  

*Please contact me for further details.