There has been a surge of various brands of Banana, Cassava and Plantain Chips on the supermarket shelves lately. After the Soldanza brand (originally manufactured in the Dominican Republic) took off, Brand Jamaica followed suit. That’s a good thing! Soldanza Plantain Chips were actually not that healthy anyway, considering its 10% Saturated Fat content.
Note that as much as we love Banana Chips or Cassava Chips, they have too much Saturated Fat and sodium. Jamaicans are already prone to high blood pressure.
If you are looking for a similar taste with larger sized chips, locally made St. Mary’s Plantain Chips (slightly salted) and National Chachita’s Plantain Chips (lightly salted) are the brands for you! Healthy and tasty. A win-win with enough chips in the bag.
Both brands have 0g Trans Fats, 0mg Cholesterol and an impressively low percentage of Saturated Fat, 6%. They are not equal to or less than the ideal 5% Saturated Fat, but they are close enough. They are also slightly/lightly salted so the sodium content is low enough and not off the charts like others on the market. Another important factor is fiber. Do they keep you fuller for longer? They aren’t whole grain or whole wheat, but have a small amount of fibre that can do the job of sustaining your energy and curbing hunger between meals.
If you decide to have Plantain chips as a side to your meal instead of a snack, that is a good idea as well. For instance, to replace Rice and Peas alongside Jerked Chicken. You will end up consuming fewer calories and it’s a difference from the monotony, especially if you spice up the taste with a little guacamole or chimichurri sauce.
One should eat 5/6 meals per day depending on how long you are awake for and that includes 2 snacks. A typical 5-meal day should have the order of Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Snack, Dinner.
So keep it Jamaican and incorporate these healthy snacks in your diet today!
By: Gabrielle Burgess (Certified Personal Trainer & Sports Nutritionist)
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World Radiography Day is a celebration on November 8th each year, marking the anniversary of the discovery of X-rays by German mechanical engineer, William Röntgen in 1895.
Radiology Departments worldwide usually celebrate World Radiography Week around this time. As a Radiologic Technologist, I am a few days late but I am promoting Radiography as a career, showing its crucial importance and contribution to modern health care and of course, increasing public awareness of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy.
Before creating the website, Suga Lifestyle, I used to write articles on www.interestingarticles.com. I would love if you would take the time to read my article, ‘World Radiography Week’ that was published on November 7, 2012. It has a 5-star rating and almost 2000 views.
My article highlights how Radiography Departments celebrate World Radiography Week, the challenges faced and psychology behind doing Mammograms for patients and of course, my appreciation and love for working in the field of Radiography.
Read my article, ‘World Radiography Week’ by clicking on the link below:
Now for all my Ladies out there and Gentlemen (yes, men have lumps too), here are a few tips and information with regards to Preparation for your Mammogram and how you can do your part to facilitate Breast Cancer Awareness and Treatment:
â— Feel all four quadrants of your breasts (all around) in the shower. Picturing the breast as a clock, usually with the nipple as the centre (via someone facing you), is the way used for the identification of areas of concern in the breasts. These areas of concern identified are usually sent for further investigation, i.e a Mammogram/Breast Ultrasound.
E.g. Your Mammogram/Breast referral form may read, ‘mass located at 1 o’clock’.
â— Feel your breasts when laying down, as not all masses are felt while standing.
â— If you have a history of Breast Cancer in your family, the breasts should be checked by a doctor during general examination from as early as teenage years.
â— No matter how young you are, once a mass, discomfort, pain, burning or sticking sensation, swelling and/or discharge from the nipple are observed, seek medical attention immediately.
â— Once a referral is sought to do a Mammogram from your Doctor, if possible, choose a facility that does both Mammograms and Breast Ultrasounds.
*It is possible to have Breast Cancer and not know or be able to schedule a biopsy until weeks or months later. If a particular Breast Cancer cannot be detected by a Mammogram or your Technologist does not recognise an abnormality present and therefore does not raise the attention that a Breast Ultrasound is needed, there is risk of a spread. This is so, because there is sometimes a back up of Mammograms for reporting at Public clinics before a Radiologist can refer a patient for an Ultrasound. It may be too late by this time, costing the patient his/her life or an entire breast or two (single/double mastectomy).
â— If you are referred to do a Breast Mammogram/Ultrasound, I recommend that you do both. Some cancerous (malignant) calcifications cannot be detected by Breast Ultrasound and vice versa.
*Keep in mind that the Mammogram is like a map to show the Radiologist where to focus for any area/s that may need clarification.
â— Starting at age 35 or 40, do your Mammogram annually.
â— Mammograms are low radiation. Remember that if you lay on the beach all day you are also exposed to cumulative radiation from the sun. So a thyroid shield is only necessary if you have hormonal/thyroid issues and if you are undergoing/have recently done radiation therapy or chemo.
â— A routine Mammogram will be two (2) views on each breast, therefore four (4) compressions in all.
A routine Mammogram showing two (2) views of each breast.
â— Do not wear powder, lotion/oil or deodorant/flaky deodorant when doing a Mammogram. The flakes or clusters from a deodorant or powder can mimic calcifications/cancer. While, lotions or oils may cause the breast to slide back during imaging, thus losing possible valuable information.
â— Ladies, wear a top and bottom if possible when going to do your Mammogram.
â— Try to do your Mammograms at the same facility each year so a record is kept for comparisons.
â— Everyone does not have the same Mammogram experience. Other than the Technologist or machine used, this may be a result of other factors such as a current or close time period to a menstrual cycle, pain threshold, size of the breasts, thickness of breast tissue, presence of cysts and the overall shape of the breasts and shoulders/body habitus. So if it is painful or ‘unbearable’ for you, do not discourage others.
â— It is not the end of the world if you feel pain and/a mass. It may just be a cyst that can be drained of fluid or removed. Take it one step at a time.
â— If you have a lump that may be malignant (cancerous) and not benign (non-cancerous), ensure that you wait for your biopsy results before removing the lump. You need to confirm that the lump is cancerous, if so, the stage it is at, the possibility of the cancer spreading and the possibility of return if the breast/s are not removed.
â— Ensure that you not only have Life Insurance but Health Insurance. Some form of Pro-Care or Criticare should be sought as well if repetitive surgery or radiation treatment/chemotherapy is needed.
â— Spread the Word to Family, Friends and Coworkers! Breast Cancer Awareness Saves Lives.
***Suga Bears, please note that it is also Lupus Awareness month. Stay tuned for tips for my Lupus warriors***
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Just in case you missed Suga’s Review, here you go! Feast your eyes. I also have an update. Stush and Simo’s will be at it again at Moda Market this November 11-12. Looks like their Ice Cream Bar from Moveable Feast will be there too!
The Scenic Entrance of Stush and Simo’s Moveable Feast displaying the epic Collaboration between Stush in the Bush and Simo’s Bread and Catering along with other Purveyors
Stush in the Bush and Simo’s Bread and Catering joined forces for a Bottomless Mimosa Brunch, titled Moveable Feast, last Sunday, October 8th at Arcadia Great House in Duncans, Trelawny.
Not to be confused with Michele Williams’ Moveable Feast Catering Company that has been in the business in Jamaica for over 10 years, the title of the event was inspired by the title of an Ernest Hemingway novel, A Moveable Feast. Lisa Binns of Stush in the Bush loved the title of the novel and deemed it fit for her Brunch collaboration with Christina Simonitsch of Simo’s Bread and Catering. Lisa says she hopes to ultimately move this feast around the island.
With Stush in the Bush based in St. Ann and Simo’s Bread and Catering based in Montego Bay, I thought Trelawny was the appropriate destination for their first collaboration, almost meeting in the middle.
Fresh Farm to Table greens, Vinaigrettes, Spreads, Sauces, Salads, Ceviche and Chips from Stush in the Bush (Photo credit: Tina Davis)
However, the two main items that stood out for me were the Charcoal Blinis with Truffle Aioli, Quail Eggs Benedict and Avo-Daise and the Rum BBQ Jackfruit Pulled Pork that were the definition of divine, intricate perfection.
Other highlights for me were the Quinoa Pilaf, Pimento Pickled Onion, Pulled Pork, Plantain Ceviche, Chia seed and Coconut Yogurt Parfait, Lemon Pound Cake with Passion Fruit Butter topped off with Vegan Chocolate sauce and my husband did well with the rich, moist Chocolate and Coffee Cake.
For Salad lovers, the Summer Panzanella with Rosemary Red Stripe Croutons was delish! I was impressed that the flavour of the Red Stripe was not lost in the salad. The Beet Carpaccio with Feta was a great pairing as well.
Another spread of Pastries from Simo’s Bread and Catering. Food was around every corner.
Keep in mind that nothing is basic with Simo’s. As simple as you would think Chocolate Crisp cookies would be, the touch of salt added brought the taste to a whole new level to enjoy without getting a toothache.
Of course, Mimosas were on tap and the Lemon grass and Ginger Tea served was rich in flavour and absolutely refreshing.
Radiating smiles from happy guests, Tiffany Simmonds, Gabrielle Burgess, Tina Davis and Craig Anthony Fleming, with one of the main persons responsible, Chef Christina Simonitsch (Photo credit: Craig Anthony Fleming)
Lime Meringue Tartlets, Sausage and Cheese Quiche, Ackee and Callaloo Quiche, Spinach and Cheese Frittatas, Herb Roasted Tomato, as well as Almond and Apricot Focaccia with rosemary, Lemon Herbed Mushrooms, Cucumber salad, Herb Loaf, Banana Bread, Buns, Herbed Balsamic Sweet Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Mac n’ Cheese, Roasted Vegetables with fresh Herbs (Beets, Carrots, Pumpkin) were other Brunch delights. Believe it or not, there were actually a few more that weren’t listed.
Stush’s Candid Sorrel Chips were quite interesting too.
Suga aka Gabby from Suga Lifestyle having fun at Stush & Simo’s Ice Cream Bar
To seal the deal and cool me down after I was fired up from grilled Pizzas and more, was the Stush and Simo’s Ice Cream Bar. I thoroughly enjoyed the Coffee and Avocado Lime flavours. I really should have had them all, but I was pulled away.
Note that quite a bit of the Brunch delights were Vegan, Dairy and Gluten Free!
There were a variety of Preserves, Jams, Marmalades and Sauces that complemented their neighbours on the table quite well. For instance, the Jerk Aioli with the Rosemary Roasted Chicken. Some of them were on sale too.
Preserves, Jams, Marmalades and Sauces on sale from Stush in the Bush and Simo’s Bread and Catering (Photo credit: Craig Anthony Fleming)
Simo’s is now doing Honey! It was launched at Moveable Feast.
Gabrielle Burgess from Suga Lifestyle with husband, Randy Burgess and a part of the pleasant team from Deaf Can Coffee
Purchasing reasonably priced cups of Deaf Can’s Cold Brew and Frappuccino, was the perfect ending to a magical day, which prepped us well for the drive back to Kingston.
Chef Colin Hylton described the event as ‘BEYOND amazing’ and Chef Craig Anthony Fleming, who usually describes the culinary work of Christina Simonitsch as ‘truly first world’ was surely in his element and stated, ‘the brunch selection was beyond perfection’.
Gabrielle and Randy Burgess having fun with the charming, Chris and Lisa Binns, with Tiffany Simmonds looking on.
Kudos to Chris and Lisa Binns from Stush in the Bush and Christina Simonitsch from Simo’s Bread and Catering, as well as their hard-working team for never compromising on the quality of their gastronomic spreads. Their punctuality, attention to detail, quality control, infectious personality and radiating passion for the love of food is impressive and I felt honored to be apart of their culinary perfection once again.
When and where is the next one?!
Two of many Buffet Spreads from Stush and Simo’s Moveable Feast. #SugaEndorsed (Photo credit: Craig Anthony Fleming)
Milestone Bar and Grill had a launch party for their Opening last Friday, September 29 in Runaway Bay!
They are located close to Sharkies Seafood Restaurant on the opposite side of the road. The building is so big, you cannot miss it.
I stopped by last Sunday. I love the large, open space overlooking the sea across the road. It seems suitable for cosy dining and hosting events. Although it’s in Runaway Bay and not in a busier town such as Ocho Rios, it can serve as a great chill spot in between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay once they are fully up and running.
They were closed when I stopped by, but still offered to cook up some Fish or Chicken since the Chef was there. I decided not to pressure them, but Suga will return soon!
The doors are Open at Milestone Bar and Grill, Runaway Bay
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Run for Charity on Saturday, October 21 in the Pacers Running Club’s Charity Run. You can also use it as preparation for the Reggae Marathon coming up at Long Bay Beach Park, Negril on December 2!
Venue: Hope Gardens
Arrival Time: 4:15am
Start Time: 4:30am
Registration Cost before Oct. 16: $1500JMD; $2000JMD afterwards*
*REGISTRATION CLOSES on October 20, but it is best to Register Early so Pacers can prepare better for you!
This year’s Proceeds are in Aid of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD).
To Register and For More Information:
Website: http://www.pushitja.com
***Click on the Events tab, then Pacers Run***
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Clear GW Art Decorative Bottles embellished with Burlap roses, Burlap and Lace
GW Art Decorative Bottles are almost Sold Out! My lucky customer loved the display so much, he got the entire package. The candles and everything!
GW Art goes the extra mile to make customers happy.
Christmas present orders have started to come in! Browse the GW Art Gallery and contact Gabby for what you would like to order for the season. It’s just around the corner!
