If you are going to miss out on the Free Belly Dancing Class at Chai studios Tomorrow or would like a Weekend of Workouts to tune up that Summer body, check this out!
There will be a FREE Day of a mixture of classes at Afya this Sunday, June 4th.
It has been a while now that Kushite’s Vegetable Cuisine has settled into their spacious location at Eden Gardens. From about 2 years ago, I enjoyed Lunch from them once in a while, which was delivered from their small establishment on Phoenix Avenue. I am happy I finally got to visit their location on Lady Musgrave Road with my husband a few weeks ago on Saturday, May 13th for Dinner.
Our hostess, waitress and also co-principal of Kushites, Keisha McDonald, was pleasant and well informed as expected with regards to their menu.
Their Jerked Beet Pizza ($2500JmD) is a known pleaser, along with their Sicilian Pita Burger ($1800JMD) and Lentil Balls in Mexican Mole Sauce ($1900JMD).
We ordered a few minutes after 9pm and we had a visual of the Chef, Mr. Kush Tafari himself. We could see the food was prepared fresh and when it arrived in reasonable time after ordering, we could taste just that.
My husband enjoyed his tasty Callaloo and Mushroom in Tomato Cups paired with Quinoa. He had that with a refreshing glass of Lemon Grass Lemonade.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Sicilian Pita Burger that is a favourite at Kushites. Everything combined was a burst of flavour. The cilantro cream ‘cheese’ sauce definitely gave it a delicious kick of hot and spicy and was a perfect pair for the sweet potato Piri Piri chips. The taste buds then got a little chance to cool down with the black beans and were tickled with the taste of olives.
Both meals were healthy and filling. As a fitness enthusiast, I appreciated the creative use of the ‘Good Carbs’, such as the Sweet Potato used to make the Piri Piri chips, the Pita Bread that was either Whole Grain or Whole Wheat and the Quinoa. The Black Beans and Callaloo are also great sources of fibre. The Black Beans especially, though a protein, has slow-release carbs like other healthy beans. Then ofcourse, they were alongside veggies. What was missing for me? A little fruit. This void was fully satisfied with the Jackfruit Hemp smoothie that had even more Protein. The smoothie was well balanced, as the taste of the Jackfruit was not overpowering.
Last Thursday, Kushites won the Award for ‘Best Place for Vegetarian’ at the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards and Suga definitely endorses them for that. Congrats to Kush Tafari, Keisha McDonald and the team!
Go and give Kushites a visit today and continue to have a healthy week!
Kushite’s Vegetable Cuisine
Location: 39 Lady Musgrave Road (Inside Eden Gardens)
Ph: 876-375-0642; 876-631-9101
Instagram: @kushitesvegetablecuisine
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Pilates is similar to Yoga. It concentrates on core strength and muscular balance along with proper posture via low impact flexibility, muscular strength and endurance movements.
Ziggy’s Restaurant and Lounge in Manor Centre has been a consistently good spot to stop by and get authentic Jamaican Cuisine for quite some time now.
The service is good and it is usually a quick in and out. There is comfortable dining space and a bar if you have time to spare. They deliver as well.
Ziggy’s offers standard Jamaican Breakfast options such as Ackee & Saltfish, Stew Chicken, Liver, Salt Mackerel etc.
Standard Jamaican Lunch or Dinner options include Curry Goat, Stew Peas, Oxtail, Fried or Baked Chicken, Escovitch Fish and more.
The prices are decent for the large servings given and good quality of food they offer. Breakast items usually range from $500JMD to $600JMD. Lunch or Dinner options are usually $800JMD with the exception of Fish ($1000JMD) and Shrimp dishes ($1400JMD). Note that prices are tax inclusive.
The Daily menu is posted on their website (See information below), where you can order online and literally ‘cut di line’.
A few of my foodie friends have posted their Lunch at Ziggy’s and it was a refreshing reminder about what is just around the corner.
Last Saturday I was ravenous after a fun outing at the beach and I knew Ziggy’s would hit the spot. I stopped by at about 7pm and ordered the Baked Chicken with steamed vegetables only. No other healthy side orders such as boiled banana, yam or baked irish potatoes were available so late in the day.
I saw some Chinese dishes on the menu too but that wouldn’t fill the void. The Chinese are taking over Jamaica slowly but surely, but our food remains Number 1. I could see one of their regulars who I like to identify as ‘residents’ enjoying her dinner comfortably by the bar. She asked me what I ordered then she told me that they cook better than the ‘real Chinese’. What she said couldn’t be far from the truth based on the appetizing whiff I got that wafted up from the kitchen.
I did not have to wait more than 10 to 15 minutes. The Chef was extremely pleasant, saying he hoped he didn’t keep me too long and showed me what was in my box before he packaged it and sent me on my way.
When I got home I could see what the resident was talking about. The steamed vegetables were similar to what you would get at your local Chinese Restaurant. I am not a fan of Salads, but it was very tasty and not everyone can get that unique Chinese flavour. My well seasoned, tender Baked Chicken topped off by a savoury sauce was impressive too.
I am looking forward to trying that Chicken in Black Bean Sauce soon.
Since I was too greedy to stop and take a picture of my dish, here are pictures from Suga Bears.
Kudos to Chef Bent and the Staff of Ziggy’s for keeping the locals happy and catering to us with a smile.
Ziggy’s Restaurant & Lounge
Location: Shop 15. Manor Centre. 195 Constant Spring Road. Kingston 8.Â
Ph: 876-350-6411
Website: www.cutdiline.com/ziggys
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Most establishments make their Frappuccinos with Whole Milk or Condensed Milk that have a lot of Saturated fat, unhealthy Chocolate syrup/Caramel, granulated Sugar and top it off with Whipped cream!
Ask them to substitute the whole/condensed milk for you with Skimmed Milk and leave out the Chocolate syrup/Caramel and Whipped cream.
If not, blend your own Frappuccino! It’s easy. Check out Gabby’s recipe below:
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this recipe, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
***Although made with healthy Olive oil, you want to be cautious of staying within your healthy fats limit for the day, so just use a few smears, a bit lighter than the illustration above (Daily essential nutrients: Carbs -55%, Proteins -27%, Healthy Fats -18%)
7-minute Boiled Egg (One)
Sprinkles of Grated Parmesan
***Healthy choice of cheese
Sprinkles of Fresh Parsley
Sprinkles of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
Dash of Cracked Pepper
Dash of Green Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sauce
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Tina loves to bake, cook and EAT from Montego Bay, Jamaica!
For more delicious and innovative goodies like this from Tina Davis, follow or visit her Tumblr Page, sweetteeskitchen.tumblr.com/
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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