island wench

Granite rocks at L'Islette off Mahe, Seychelles

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Top 3 Cheap Green Building Ideas for the Tropics

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 08:12:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
The powers that be here in the Seychelles do a lot of talking about eco tourism, sustainability and the environment and yet I don't hear a lot about building in a more sustainable manner. And there's a lot of building going on. One ugly building after another is popping up all over the islands. I sometimes wonder if we have no architects here (and if we do, they must be either extremely frustrated or out of work). It looks like a couple of construction companies have one set of plans they apply to every new building. They're all built from concrete with little air flow and Roman columns on the verandahs with air conditioning units sticking out on all sides like oversized Tic Tac containers. And then touted as executive apartments or houses. Strangely, we seem to have a lot of executives in the Seychelles...

Some effort towards sustainability has been made with the new houses on Perserverance to install solar panels for electricity and someone has started a business importing solar units. Another is building prefab wooden “eco” houses (sadly without any concession towards aesthetics). Whilst I applaud these efforts, it is not enough.

There are many low cost ways of building environmentally friendly houses which may be more suitable for those of us non-executives. Here are three of my favourite ideas for eco building in the tropics:

1. Earth bag houses

Cheap, quick and easy, earth bag houses are made from soil dug out from the construction site itself which is then filled into gunny bags. A professor at Caltech came up with the idea some years ago and these houses have proven to be earthquake and flood resistant. It's essentially the sandbag idea used for emergency construction taken to a more sophisticated level. Conventional square or rectangular houses can be built with this method, but I like the more organic constructions. Oh, and it takes about three weeks to build one with a couple of friends helping.

2. Cob houses

All over the world, houses have been build out of mud. In Europe, they are called cob houses and are built out of clay, sand and straw. We don't have straw here, but I'm figuring coconut husks might do the job as well. We have sand (unless it all gets dredged up at Beavallon) and red earth which is sticky. These houses are extremely strong and can withstand fire and heavy weather as well.

3. Earthships

Earthships are built into the earth, utilising the thermal effect of the earth to either heat or, in our case here in the tropics, to keep cool. Earth-sheltered homes can be built entirely underground, bermed (covered with earth on one to three sides) or built into a larger hill with just one side open. This is especially useful for all those sloping plots of land in the mountains. No blasting of granite required either; just use that huge piece as part of the wall. Exterior walls can be built out of old tires, bottles and cans which are tightly packed with earth (again from the site itself).

All these houses can be fitted with solar panels, water catchment systems and self composting toilets (and I don't mean a smelly hole in the ground) to be truly eco friendly.

Some ideas that I don't feel translate to well to the tropics are shipping containers (all that metal is too hot), pallets (think of the insects) and beer bottles. Whilst we have enough of the latter (and it might not take too long to collect enough to build a house with), all that glass is a little heating. Strawbale, whilst popular amongs builders seeking to live a lighter footprint on the environment would work, but we don't have enough straw to feed those straggly cows, let alone to build homes.

I'm a starving artist, so I don't even own a piece of land to build on. If I did, I'd go for an earthbag home. Aside from the ease of building, I love the aesthetics of some of these houses. If there's a generous soul out there willing to lease me a plot of land, I'd be happy to demonstrate...

P.S. A lot more information on natural building can be found at Natural Building Blog and Dream Green Homes.

The Dr. Seuss 12-Step Programme to Living Your Best Life

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 11:53:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
The other day, my daughter was complaining about what she considered to be unethical behaviour by some of her friends. I responded by sarcastically suggesting that they probably hadn’t watched “Touched by an Angel” in their formative years. She figured it was probably a lack of Dr. Seuss.

And I realised that she was right. Dr. Seuss subtly (or not so subtly some might say) incorporates little nuggets of wisdom into all his books for children. Read Dr. Seuss to your kids and they will be forever “programmed” to strive to be their highest selves. If you haven’t read the man yet, it’s high time to do so yourself. I'm not sure if our local bookshops still stock any Dr. Seuss books (I bought all mine at Antigone, but that was years ago.). If you can't find any, I'm sure the lovely people at Chanterelle will order them for you.

Here’s some wisdom from Dr. Seuss and a little translation into Personal Growth Speak (PGS).

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You. In PGS: Be your authentic self.
I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me! In PGS: Overcoming challenges and difficulties are opportunities for personal growth.
Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one. In PGS: Take a positive attitude and live in the moment. And practice your positive affirmations.
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose. In PGS: Accept personal responsibility in choosing your directions in life. Make your choices consciously.
From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere. In PGS: Be aware of your surroundings and see the humour in everything. Laughter is relaxing and can be enlightening.
And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed. In PGS: Believe in your success. Having goals, purpose and dreams will focus your attention and change the condition of your life.
Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try! In PGS: Use lateral thinking to tap into your creativity.
If you want to catch beasts you don't see everyday, You have to out-of-the-way, You have to go places no others can get to. You have to get cold, and you have to get wet, too. In PGS: Get out of your comfort zone.
The more you read, the more you'll know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go. In PGS: Develop your skills and enrich your mind by buying good books on personal development. Again, Chanterelle has a pretty good selection.
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. In PGS: Connectedness to other people, other species and the earth rounds us in our lives.
If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good. In PGS: Get out of your comfort zone
A person's a person, no matter how small. In PGS: Love yourself and respect others. Size doesn’t matter???

If you prefer your wisdom a little more saccharine coated, go and watch reruns of “Touched by an Angel”...

Top Five Coolest Beach Bars—And They're Not Here in the Seychelles

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 12:30:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
“Anyone for another Seybrew?” The sun is setting and I'm sitting on a giant bean bag squishing my toes in the sand. Slow rhythmic music is playing in the background and all around me is lively chatter. I'm not mingling much tonight; I'm more in the mood for people watching and it's a good crowd gathered here to watch the sunset tonight. Maybe I'll stick around for a couple of hours and see if I can spot a falling star.

Sadly, this scenario exists only in my imagination. There isn't a single cool bar on the beach in the Seychelles. Once upon a time, the Coral Strand had a good Happy Hour going on Sundays, but we all know what happened there...

Seychelles' beaches were once again well marketed and we got on CNN's top ten this year. Year after year, some travel magazine puts a few of our beaches up there with the best and, once in a while, a luxury hotel makes it on the top ten list as well. What has never happened (and if something doesn't change drastically) never will happen is that we get on a top ten list for the coolest beach bars. We'll never even make it onto a top 100 list for coolest beach bars and the reason for that is simple: there isn't a single beach bar cool or otherwise on the islands.

Yup, we lack the coolness factor. Even the tourists know it. We're well know for our staidness factor. Many a tourist has asked me with a hopeful gleam in their eye if it's really true that there is no night life in the Seychelles. Of course there is some, I reply, but not the cool laid back island vibe beach bar shebang they might expect.

But never mind the tourists—I live here and want some of that vibe I've experienced elsewhere and now only live vicariously thanks to the internet. For those of you who want to do the same, here's my list of Top 5 Beach Bars we should emulate in the Seychelles.

1. Champlung Beach Bar, Bali

2. Samana Beach Bar, Dominican Republic

3. Kali's Beach Bar, St. Martin

4. Panormos Beach Bar, Mykonos

5. A Beach Bar, Bahamas

If you know where this is, please let me know.

I'm batting my eyelashes at some enterprising soul; please, please open a beach bar for all of us to enjoy. It's time to say hello to that cool factor here on the islands.

(all images are from Pinterest)

The Secret to Retaining Your Virtue in Seychelles

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:30:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
Yesterday I got hit on by a toothless guy in a wheelchair. I was minding my own business, about to enter a small boutik malbar to buy my daily packet of Mahe Kings, when he wheeled over to me at breakneck speed. “Miss, you so beautiful.” he said, wheezing and coughing as he offered me a cigarette. With a smile on my face (I'm not really nasty and I'm not actually beautiful.), I politely declined. He became more insistent and then asked me for my phone number.

Now, if I had been in another country, I might have assumed this was just a lonely guy looking for a chat to brighten up his day. But this is Seychelles. The land where every man thinks he's God's gift to woman. Any woman. So I had to become a little more strident in defending my virtue.

The islands are often called the islands of love after the national emblem, the coco de mer. Locals lovingly call it the love nut. I get the association; you just need to take a look at the outsize double coconut to see the resemblance to certain parts of the female anatomy. And the male catkin is nothing to sneeze at either. Scientists are still trying to find out how exactly the female seed gets pollinated, but it's no mystery to the Seychellois. It's obvious to all islanders that they come together at night to make love. After all, it's what everyone on the islands from puberty to doddering old age indulges in on a regular basis. The legend has it that if you see two coco de mer palms making love, you will drop dead on the spot. Decomposition happens quickly in the tropics and, from time to time, people do disappear...

If you go to Seychelles on holiday (and if you live here, you already know this), bear in mind that you will be hit on. It doesn't matter what age you are, whether you have your better half in tow or whether you you look like death warmed up; you will be approached. I'm a middled aged, fairly attractive woman (although not too hot in the early morning when sneaking off to the shop before I've had my caffeine boost) and I get propositioned by young men in their twenties. My 24 year old daughter was approached by a lecherous 12 year old offering to do things to her he shouldn't even have heard of.

It may be flattering for the first couple of weeks, especially if you're not Salma Hayek, but it gets old pretty quickly. This is especially true if you've been here a few years or, heaven forbid, have had to put up with this your whole life.

On the plus side, the guys are pretty easy to fend off. I always try the polite approach first and it usually works. No need to bruise egos if it's not necessary. If this doesn't work (and, sadly, it often doesn't), try the ego bruising version of being a little rude about his attributes. And should the “gentleman” in question be impervious to subtle insults and still drones on about getting your phone number, go for the ego smashing all out direct insults. Being quite the cowardly custard, I haven't often resorted to using the latter approach.

So how did I fend off my toothless admirer? Two words. And he did...

Backpack Me Collaborative Post

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 11:21:00 +0000

I contributed to a collaborative post at Backpack Me. People from all over have written a few lines about the country they live in. Mine is a little tips an tricks on what to do in the Seychelles. Go on over and take a look.

Travel to my Country 2/4: Africa & The Middle-East

Sunset from Bel Ombre over Beauvallon Bay

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 12:00:00 +0000

5 Fun Ways to Exercise at the Beach Even if You're Afraid of Water

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 12:00:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
I love hanging out in the water. Floating on my back staring at the sky whilst trying to split clouds is my idea of heaven. Now and again, I'll swim a few strokes just to feel the water lapping against my skin. If I feel like a little more exercise, I'll jump in the waves and have been known to indulge in a bit of body surfing as well.

But I know there are countless islanders who can't swim. Maybe they're not really aquaphobes, but the thought of being out in the deep blue sea where feet don't touch the ground will trigger a minor (or major) panic attack or at least get that adrenalin coursing through the veins with no thought of a fight response.

Fear not; there are other fun ways to keep fit at the beach. Here are some ideas:

1. Frisbee
Tossing a frisbee is a fun activity that engages your shoulders and arms while improving hand-eye coordination. If your partner sucks at throwing a frisbee (try playing with me sometime...), you'll be doing lots of running as well. If you don't have a frisbee, improvise with that plastic plate you used at the beach barbeque.

2. Beach volleyball
This fun game calls on your hips and legs for running and jumping and your upper body for striking the ball. If you can get a good bunch of people together, it also builds team spirit among all participants.

3. Beach walking
You can stroll barefoot along the dry part of the sand far far away from that nasty water. Because it's harder to walk on dry sand, you'll expend greater energy and get a good workout for your ankles and calves. Even more fun if you combine it with beachcombing. (Check out this infographic to find out more about the benefits of walking on the beach.)

4. Beach badminton or paddle ball
These fun games use your full body, and help improve speed, agility and hand-eye coordination. One thing all of these games have in common is that they involve bursts of high-intensity effort followed by a little downtime or rest, so you'll get your interval training. Some say that's all you need for good health.

5. Beach rugby
This one is for the hard core amongst you. You get all the fitness benefits of the above, get to boost your testosterone and a few injuries to boot. If you're in Seychelles, there's a game at Beauvallon now and again. Check out the Seychelles Beach Rugby group on Facebook, if you think you're tough enough to join.

And don't forget random Takamaka trees for pull ups and the like...

PS: If you're feeling really lazy, you can still reap health benefits from going to the beach.

Just for Fun: The Beach Personality Test

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 11:16:00 +0000

You Are Quietly Passionate

You like people, but you're careful about who you get close to. Friendship is important to you... so important that you aren't just friends with anyone.

You fall in love with ease and confidence. Even if you've had bad experiences in the past, each new love is a reason to start completely over.

You are a deep and contemplative person. You are as passionate as everyone else, but your passion is not always apparent.

Your sense of humor is intellectual and obscure. Only really well educated people get your jokes.

The Beach Test

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

This is fairly acccurate... How did you fare?

Takamaka Tree at Anse Lazio, Praslin, Seychelles

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Takamaka Tree at Anse Lazio, Praslin, Seychelles

How to Decorate with Sea Glass Even if You're Totally Craft Challenged

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:00:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
I love sea glass. Call it beach glass, mermaid's tears or verre bouteille as it's known in Seychelles, it's one of my favourite materials to work with when crafting. I collect shells and driftwood whilst beachcombing, but what really makes my day is when I find a particularly lovely piece of beach glass. In Seychelles, we get mostly green (Keep them coming Seybrew drinkers!), white and brown sea glass, but once in a while I come across a rare piece of violet or blue sea glass.

I know that not everyone enjoys making things, but that's no reason not to use sea glass as a decor accent in your home. Here are some ideas for the non-crafty on how to use these beach finds in your home to celebrate the beach lifestyle.

Put some in a tray and add some tea lights in a glass.

Fill up a glass vase or bottle with sea glass.

Add some water and a plant for some real underwater pizzazz.

I use beach glass for crafting, but I need to store it somewhere before I use it and why not double up as decor? Store it in an antique bowl for a wabi sabi look.

You can't beat the combo of sea glass and driftwood for real beach style.

Or just place some in a large shell you've found during your beach walks.

Finally, if you are feeling a little crafty after all, (just enough to use some glue), try sticking some on a glass vase or candle holder.

I hope this has inspired you to bring some beach indoors. Just don't go collecting all the sea glass here, please. I'd like some left for myself...

Create the Sacred Space You Need to Survive Daily Life

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 09:21:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
Virginia Woolf said that every woman needs a room of her own to be able to write. I would go further; everybody needs some sacred space of their own to survive daily life. We all have to retreat from the mundane at times and get in touch with our spirit.

As a child, I always wanted a treehouse. It seemed like the perfect sanctuary to me, high up and hidden away from sight. In my imagination, I decorated my treehouse with exotic wall hangings and huge fluffy cushions. Unfortunately, my father had two left thumbs and couldn’t put up a shelf, let alone embark on a dwelling, however minor. Ever the resourceful child, I looked for the next best place and found it behind the Freemason’s Lodge. Nobody ever went there and it seemed sufficiently magical to qualify as a sanctuary. I spent a lot of time just sitting and dreaming and also set up a graveyard for dead birds there. I particularly enjoyed holding funerals for the poor birds. My mother called me a morbid child…

When I hit my teens, I had to go to school camps a couple of times a year. I hated communal living and always carved out a space for myself in the room by throwing an Indian shawl over a chair and setting up some kind of altar. I usually had some incense and a little figurine of some kind. The centrepiece in those days was a little box where I kept my illegal “mind-enhancing” substance …

Even as adults, we need a sanctuary from the world. A place where we can retreat and heal ourselves by getting in touch with our souls. A place to meditate and relax, to get in touch with the Divine. A physical spiritual retreat centre.

This place can be indoors or outdoors. It can be difficult to create a place of your own if you are living with others, but it is possible. If you have a spare room or a basement, consider turning it into your spiritual sanctuary instead of a guest room. If you’re more pressed for space, even a corner of your bedroom, perhaps partitioned off with a screen or curtain will do. If you don’t even have enough room to swing a cat in, a cupboard or a shelf can serve as sacred space in form of an altar. Even the tiniest space can be a focal point for your meditations or prayers.

An outdoor sacred space could be a flat rock situated in a grove of trees, a sheltered part of your garden or a corner of your balcony. A large or small Zen garden might give you peace and tranquillity. Sacred space “on the go” might be an impromptu altar on a tree stump in the woods or a rock on the beach.

Decorate your sacred space with an image that symbolizes Divinity, some candles, a mandala … whatever your intuition tells you to put in the area. I usually like to represent the four elements of fire, water, earth and air as well as Spirit. Then I’ll add on bits and pieces that I am intuitively guided to place there. Also, if I want to manifest something, I will put a vision board or something representing my desire on my altar.

Some people like to consecrate their sacred space with a ritual. I personally feel this isn’t necessary; the intent and setting up is usually enough consecration. Spending time in your sacred space also adds to the energetic charge of the place. Try and take a few moments to meditate or just “be” in your sanctuary every day.

And who knows, you might even get inspired to write a book or two in your space of your own. I've started mine ...

Did You Know You Can Eat Coconut Sprouts?

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 13:32:00 +0000

And that they taste like manna from heaven?

Coconut sprouts are called uto in the Cook Islands, o'o in Samoa, manzanas de coco (coconut apples) in Latin America and here in Seychelles we call them koko zerm (or coco germes if you wanna be a little more high falutin'). In Hawaii, this food was considered so powerful that only the royals were allowed to eat it.

In Seychelles, on the other hand, the koko zerm is now considered poor man's food and most people ignore it in favour of other tasty man made "treats". In fact, when we moved back here a few years ago, my son had to show it to some of his friends who had grown up here and never tried it.

I pretty much love anything to do with coconuts, but coconut sprouts have got to be my favourite part of a coconut. Maybe they remind me of my childhood (I ate them when on holiday here.), maybe I just don't get to eat them too often or maybe they are as delicious as I think.

So what is a coconut sprout really? Essentially, a coconut contains a small seed like ball that floats around in the coconut water within the shell. When the coconut drops off the tree this small ball begins soaking up the water and turning into a round spongy mass that eventually fills the entire inside of the coconut as it sprouts.

It's very hard to describe the texture of koko zerm. Some say it's like marshmallow; others say it's like candy floss. To me, it's like a crispy sponge, if you can imagine that.

A sprouted coconut can be picked when the shoot is no more than a foot and a half tall. Open it the way you would any other coconut (machete in hand or bash it up against a rock) and pick out the inside. The yellow outer part can be eaten, but if it's a slightly older sprout, this layer can taste a tad rancid. The white fluffy part is always sweet and coconutty.

I'm guessing it is highly nutritious as well; sprouts and seeds of all kinds tend to be concentrated powerhouses of nutritional goodness.

I wonder if we could survive on coconut sprouts... maybe they really are manna...

Overcast day at Anse Source D'Argent La Digue

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 07:09:00 +0000

Who Needs Kite Surfing When You Can Ride in a Tata Bus?

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 12:00:00 +0000

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seba_f80/

By Louise Pool
I do not and have never indulged in ice climbing, bungee jumping or any other extreme sport, although I do seem to be drawn to the type of man who does. I get my thrills vicariously by watching my man take the risks or from watching serial killers and vampires on tv. I'll also get my adrenalin surges by taking adventurous (some might say stupid) decisions in life.

Alas, there is one area of my life where I cannot avoid putting myself in physical danger: riding a Tata bus in Seychelles.
Some (not all) bus drivers are wannabe Michael Schumachers. Unfortunately, they haven't quite had his practice on the streets of Monte Carlo. "Speed thrills, but kills" is the motto grandly displayed on the back of the SPTC buses. Most of us residents appreciate the irony; I suppose the drivers do, too and are having a good laugh at the end of the day when they exchange their bus keys for a Seybrew. At least, I hope it's only at the end of the day.

If it's not kamikaze driving, it's a hairy spider that will do you in. The other day I was minding my own business, staring out the window when something in my peripheral vision caught my eye. I looked directly at it and lo and behold, a big fat brown hairy spider was crawling onto the shoulder of the person in front of me. Upon being made aware of this horrific danger, the passenger nonchalantly brushed the spider off his shoulder. Of course the bloody thing disappeared into the wilds of the bus and left me sitting there frozen in fear. I couldn't even switch seats as the bus was jam packed full. Two bus stops and a litre of cold sweat later, I unfroze and got off to wait for the next bus.

One good thing about the buses: they are reasonably on time. I lived in Switzerland before, where you have a tram coming every six minutes and they are not a second late. We don't have that kind of precision here in Seychelles (Watches, anyone?), but give or take ten minutes of deviation from the bus schedule and you'll get to your destination on time. And yes, there is a bus schedule. I downloaded mine from the SPTC website. The bus drivers tend to be a friendly bunch as well; if you flag them down, they will stop for you (even if YOU are a few minutes too late).

There have been over 7 reported accidents in the last couple of months and everyday promises news of another one. I say "reported", because I've heard of a lot of minor "mirror brushing" ones from people who have been sitting in the buses. And frankly, the buses look so bashed up that one wonders if it's not SPTC's way of warning us what we might be getting into when boarding one of their vehicles.

Get some new buses please. We're not wasteful here on the island and the buses can be recycled as some creative people have shown.

A Tata bus need never die... and I don't want to soon either...

Sweet and Sour Pork with Tamarind and Mango Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 12:07:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
Good pork is always available here in the Seychelles. I've bought imported pork fillet a couple of times and it just can't compare with our local meat. I wonder if it's all the breadfruit the pigs are fed?

Since we have such a mixture of cuisines making up our Creole cuisine, sweet and sour pork is available in most take aways. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it's, well... What it always is, to my taste, is too fatty. Now I enjoy good pork crackling, but I can't stand mouthfuls of fat (and bits of bone) in my pork dishes. I like lean filleted pork, not pork that's looks like it's been attacked with a machete. (This goes for chicken, too. Those of you who have eaten chicken curry take aways in Seychelles will know what I'm on about.)

You don't need pork tenderloin for this recipe; I used slices of pork leg and trimmed away the fat.

Sweet and Sour Pork with Tamarind Recipe

For the sauce:
2 tbsp sesame oil for frying
a piece of ginger (length of small finger), chopped
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 red bell pepper
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1 leek, sliced (or 1 cup frozen leeks)
5 tbsp tomato puree
2 tbsp tamarind paste
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 cup mango juice
Heat up the sesame oil and stir fry the ginger, garlic and chilli powder together with the vegetables for 5 minutes.
In the meantime, mix together all the other ingredients.
Add to the pan and bring to the boil. Let it all simmer for another 10 minutes without a lid to reduce the sauce somewhat.
Set aside.

For the pork:
500 g lean pork
cornstarch (same as corn flour) for dredging
salt
oil for deep frying
Cut up the pork into bite sized pieces, season with a good amount of salt and dredge with the cornstarch.
Heat the oil to a high temperature suitable for deep frying (Throw in a little lettuce to check if it's hot enough; it will shrivel immediately when the oil is ready.).
Deep fry the pork until browned and crispy (5 to 10 minutes).

Add the pork to the sauce and serve.

This dish is lovely served with plain white rice or buckwheat noodles.

I made this last night and I wasn't too hungry, so whilst my son ate his with a huge bowl of rice, I simply ate mine without any carbs.

So dinner last night was low carb, gluten free, dairy free and very very tasty. I'm feeling very virtuous...

Takamaka Beach

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Takamaka Beach, Mahe, Seychelles

How to Make a Mini Beaded Dreamcatcher

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 10:02:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
This isn't a traditional Seychelles craft, but I've given it an island touch by adding a piece of seaglass. You could make it more beachy by using shells instead of glass beads.

A traditional craft among many groups of native North Americans, dreamcatchers are hung above the head of a sleeping person to ensure a good night's sleep. The web traps bad dreams, while the hole in the centre allows good dreams to pass through.

My son used to have nightmares until I made him one of these, but since he hung up his dreamcatcher, he enjoys peaceful sleep. Don't know if it is the power of suggestion, but it definitely works. And looks nice, too...

You will need:

bracelet memory wire (or an old bangle)
seed beeds
shiny embroidery thread
needle
nylon jewellery thread or thin fishing line
feathers
large beads
charms or sea glass or shells

Step by step instructions:

Cut the memory wire to one round and make a loop on one end.
Thread seed beads loosely onto the memory wire and close with another loop.
Cut a long piece of embroidery thread and tie one end through the loops leaving a good bit dangling.
Thread the embroidery thread through the needle and make half hitch knots around the beaded ring, spacing them half an inch apart. Thread the last hitch through the loop. Keep the thread snug between the knots.
Begin the next row of the web in the middle of the thread that you have already woven in the first row.
Continue weaving in the same way for a couple of rows, then add a bead and continue as before until you have a small hole left in the centre.
Tie a double knot in the thread and tie a bead to the dangling piece.
String up three strings of varying length with beads, a feather and charms and tie to the dream catcher. (see picture of beaded dreamcatcher above)
Add two shorter bits in the same manner to the sides of the dreamcatcher.
Finally, attach some nylon or thread through the loop at the top, so you can hang your dreamcatcher.

Sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite.

9 Easy Come By Benefits of a Walk on the Beach

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:59:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
Living right next to the beach, I do a good amount of walking on the beach. I'll go in the early morning for exercise and in the evening to beachcomb.

We all know walking is good for you; what makes a walk on the beach even better for you?

Your body weight pressing down on the grains of the sand stimulates the pressure points on the soles of your feet. You get a free foot reflexology massage and you don't need the relaxing CD in the background...
Walking barefoot is "grounding". When walking barefoot, you absorb free electrons directly through the soles of your feet. Research has shown that this has a powerful antioxidant effect and may also reduce inflammation throughout your body.
The mineral rich sea air can help with relaxation (magnesium) and boost your thyroid activity (iodine).
You burn 20-50% more calories than when you take a normal walk. Due to the unevenness of the terrain, your muscles need to work harder to stay balanced. (The softer the sand, the harder the workout...)
Sand provides a natural cushion and because it "gives" as you walk, it lessens stress and strain on your bones, joints and tissues.
Your feet get softer as sand exfoliates by rubbing off the dead skin as you walk. And if you walk along the water, you'll get the Dead Sea Salt exfoliation effect as well.
Improve bone strength in the hips, knees and lower legs. This is important for all of us, but especially for women as we get older.
And because your muscles need to work harder your legs and butt get toned more easily.(There are special toning shoes that emulate walking on sand exactly for this effect.)
Walking along the water's edge can reduce swelling of your ankles. There is a band of connective tissue around the front of the ankle joint that can block lymph flow and the gentle action of the waves can release some of the pressure in this area and allow lymph fluid to move up the leg.

If you haven't taken a walk on the beach in a long time, you're better off walking in the wet sand until your ankles and calf muscles get used to the uneven ground. Once you're "trained" you can start walking in dry sand for a harder workout. Too much too soon and you might end up with sore ankles or shin splints. It also helps to do a few gentle stretches before your walk.

Another huge benefit for me is that I really dislike the idea of being "forced" to do anything (even by myself). Maybe it's an islander thing. A walk on the beach is so enjoyable and relaxing, though, that I can easily trick myself into exercising. After all, I'm just having a pleasant little stroll on the beach...

What Everybody Needs to Know About Coconut Oil

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 12:00:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
Living on a tropical island, I am lucky to have a large supply of one of nature's most beneficial foodstuffs. Coconuts have always been a mainstay of the Seychelles diet and once upon a time, long long ago, most people cooked with it as well. Nowadays, it's mostly palm or sunflower oil and I have to admit I, too, am guilty of this. I use coconut oil for frying if I'm making a Kari Koko (coconut curry) as I don't like the taste of it in all foods. It's great for adding to smoothies, yoghurt and puddings, though. (The picture on the left is a bottle of coconut oil sold for massage purposes, but coconut oil is coconut oil...)

Coconut oil is a food, and is one of the best cooking oils you can use. Unlike most vegetable oils, coconut oil's chemical structure is kept intact even when used in higher cooking temperatures and is therefore resistant to mutations of fatty acid chains. Research shows that the fatty acids found in coconut oil raise the body's metabolism, boost the immune system, and help provide greater energy which can also lead to weight loss.

Saturated fats have received a bad press in recent years. They've been linked to raising cholesterol levels and causing cardiovascular and other diseases. Coconut oil is rich in saturated fats, so many people put it in the same category as animal fats. Actually, in contrast to animal fats which contain cholesterol, coconut oil has no cholesterol.

There are two types of saturated fats: medium chain and long chain fatty acids. Coconut oil is mainly composed of medium chain fatty acids, which are easily digested and converted to energy. They do not raise cholesterol nor increase the risk of heart disease. Animal fats are long chain fatty acids, which have the ability to raise cholesterol and are easily stored in the body as fats.

Are there any people who live on saturated fats who are healthy? Yes! People who live in tropical climates and still have a diet high in coconut oil are healthier, have less heart disease, cancer, colon and weight problems, than unsaturated fat eaters. Two groups of people which have been studied are Melanesians and Mexicans from the Yucatan area. These people are slightly hyperthyroid (faster metabolism) because of the thyroid stimulating effects of coconut oil plus a diet which includes protein (fish) and adequate fruit (stimulates thyroid function).

The main health benefits of coconut oil:

Thyroid-stimulating and anti-aging The cholesterol-lowering properties of coconut oil are a direct result of its ability to stimulate thyroid function. In the presence of enough thyroid hormone, cholesterol (specifically LDL-cholesterol) is converted by enzymatic processes to anti-aging steroids, which are required to help prevent heart disease, senility, obesity, cancer and other diseases associated with aging and chronic degenerative diseases.
Weight loss stimulating Because the thyroid gets stimulated, the metabolism gets boosted and calories get burnt faster resulting in the pounds coming off.
Anti-cancer Studies have shown that in chemically induced cancers of the colon and breast (it does seem mean to do that, but researchers will be researchers...), coconut oil was by far more protective than unsaturated oils. One study showed that 32% of corn oil eaters got colon cancer whereas only 3% of coconut oil eaters got the cancer. Many other studies since the 1920's have shown an association between consumption of unsaturated oils and the incidence of cancer.
Antimicrobial (antiseptic) Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids. One of these is lauric acid, which has strong anti-viral properties. It is present in breast milk and protects infants from viral, bacterial or protozoal infections. Lauric acid also has adverse effects on other pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast and fungi. There has even been a lot of research recently on the benefits of lauric acid in HIV infections.

So how can we benefit from the wonderful healing properties of coconut oil? It can be used for frying, instead of other fats in baking, in puddings; it's up to your imagination. One of my favourites is coconut rice pudding. Yummy!

How do you use coconut oil?

Anse Patatran, La Digue

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 12:30:00 +0000

Anse Patatran, La Digue, Seychelles

Click picture for a larger image.

Hoop Earring Madness

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:57:00 +0000

Hoop earrings are all the trend for summer 2013. I don't usually like hoop earrings, but this year they're not just the plain Creoles, so I though I'd have a go at designing some that I like. These large hoop earrings are not the usual run of the mill plain hoops; I've used semi precious stones and my favourite material, seaglass. As usual, each piece is one of a kind and makes a statement.

I haven't uploaded them to the shop yet, but feel free to get in touch if you're interested in buying a pair (or two). They are all the same price: Euros 17 or SCR 250.

Click on the picture for a larger view.

The Boho hoop earrings are all approx. 6cm long.

Boho Lapis Lazuli Hoop Earrings Euros 17 SCR 250

Boho Malachite and Turquoise Hoop Earrings Euros 17 SCR 250

Boho Shell and Turquoise Hoop Earrings Euros 17 SCR 250

The Hoopie range is approx. 5cm long.

Hoopie Amethyst Hoop Earrings Euros 17 SCR 250

Hoopie Lapis and Turquoise Hoop Earrings Euros 17 SCR 250

Hoopie Malachite and Shell Hoop Earrings Euros 17 SCR 250

The Mermaid's Tears earrings are approx. 7cm long.

Mermaid's Tears Black Stone and Seaglass Hoop Earrings Euros 17 SCR 250

Mermaid's Tears Lapis and Seaglass Hoop Earrings Euros 17 SCR 250

Mermaid's Tears Malachite and Seaglass Hoop Earrings Euros 17 SCR 250

Mermaid's Tears Black Stone and Shell Hoop Earrings Euros 17 SCR 250

I hope you like them! Leave a comment here if you would like to buy a pair or like my facebook page and leave me a message there for a 20% discount.

10 Reasons to be Beside the Seaside

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 10:56:00 +0000

For most of us, images of clear blue skies and turquoise tropical oceans conjure up fantasies of ultimate relaxation and well-being. Some of us, including yours truly, are lucky enough to live it.

It’s not just clever advertising. Nor is it just our atavistic urge to return to the ocean whence we came from. There are actual health benefits from being near the sea. Seawater and sea air are good for both our bodies and our souls.

The Greeks were the first on record to use the power of the sea for healing. Indeed, the popular thalassotherapy originated in Greece, "thalassa" meaning water and "therapia" meaning to heal. There are 2500 year-old healing sites on the Greek islands of Rhodes and Corfu, and the ancient Greek healing center at Pergamum in what is now Turkey. Hippocrates (of the Hippocratic Oath) discovered the therapeutic qualities of seawater by noticing the healing effects it had on the fishermen’s hurt hands. The salt water helped heal the wounds, reduced infection and promoted pain relief.

Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs magnesium, potassium and many other minerals and trace elements when in the sea. The magnesium content of seawater is significant enough to have a nutritional and calming effect on our nerves, which explains why sea bathing is so relaxing. Potassium in seawater enters the skin and encourages good urinary flow. Seawater contains all the 89 known elements present in our bodies, including osmium, gold, vanadium, zinc, and iodine.
Bathing in seawater opens the pores and help eliminate toxins from the body via the lymph system, which is valuable in the elimination of trapped fluids around the thighs, knees and ankles.
The natural iodine both in the water and in the air boosts thyroid activity, speeding weight loss and helping in cellulite control. Positive effects have also been shown in cases of psoriasis and dermatitis.
Ocean air is also loaded with negative ions (similar to the clear air after a storm). Negatives ions strengthen the body's immune system and improve our ability to absorb oxygen by neutralizing damaging free radicals. They also help balance levels of serotonin.
Sunshine is the main source of vitamin D. This vitamin plays a role in strengthening the bones and boosts the immune system. Low vitamin D is associated with several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and Crohn’s disease. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D can also prevent the growth and spread of various cancers, including some skin cancers.
The sound of the waves actually alters the wave patterns in the brain promoting a deep sense of calmness.
Metaphysically and psychologically, water is associated with creativity and feelings and is the seat of our unconscious patterns. Being close to the sea brings out our feelings and fosters creativity.
Gazing at the horizon can be beneficial for the eyes. It relaxes the eye muscles and can strengthen vision. Most mariners have excellent eyesight.
Sand is a fantastic natural exfoliant. It helps dead skin cells to shed more quickly, which leads to clearer and more youthful skin.
Swimming and walking on the beach are two of the best all round exercises anyone, fit or out of shape, can indulge in.

I haven't always lived close to the sea, so I made do with a yearly holiday and sea salt baths. But, man, does it feel good to actually live beside the seaside!

Homemade Ginger Ale Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 12:30:00 +0000

By Louise Pool
Ginger is one thing we have an abundance of here. I've always chewed on ginger if I had a headache or was feeling slightly nauseous (think Cat Cocos in August), but recently started making my own ginger ale as a more pleasant and refreshing alternative painkiller. It works better than paracetamol and will save you hours of waiting at the clinic.
Of course, aside from the medicinal effects, it's also a refreshing drink to be enjoyed anytime. This homemade version tastes a lot better than commercial ginger ale and has the advantage of using fresh ingredients and probably less sugar than the pre-bottled variety. Everybody who has tasted it is addicted...

Homemade Ginger Ale Recipe

1 cup chopped ginger (no need to peel)
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
Put all ingredients in a large pot and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 minutes and let steep for for 2 hours. Strain the liquid into a jar. This ginger syrup keeps for a week at least in your fridge.

To serve (1 glass):
Lime
Soda water
2 tablespoons of ginger syrup
Put 2 tablespoons of ginger syrup in a glass, squeeze half a Key lime, add some ice and top up with soda.

I'm not a heavy drinker, but occasionally, at 5 pm I'll sit myself down on my balcony and sip my ginger ale with a shot of bourbon. Dang, maybe I'll go watch an episode of Justified (for some Kentucky authenticity) right now and pour myself a tall highball of bourbon and ginger ale. The two just go together like white on rice...

Waves Bashing on Rocks at Police Bay, Mahe, Seychelles

noreply@blogger.com (island wench) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Waves Bashing on Rocks at Police Bay, Mahe, Seychelles