A Hard Monster to Tame

I shared this snippet of words on my Facebook page yesterday:

I like it hot
you like it cold
I may not seem confident on the spot
but I am superbly bold
I love the warmth
You seem more frigid
We differ in thoughts
I'm flexible and you're rigid.

I do love working with words, phrases, diction and poetry.

While some people are fearful, intimidated by or are suspicious of Facebook, I have the firm belief that Facebook is great for sharing information, networking and planning finding loved ones and old classmates. I never encourage anyone to put too much information on the internet especially on social sites. I am very wary of photos as well. We see enough explicit behavior on television. We don't need to see you in a bathing suit in a provocative pose because surely your 'goods' should not be so readily availble on the world wide web.

I am especially concerned about the young ladies who seem to dedicate their lives to Facebook. They may spend hours on Facebook the same way that boys can become addicted to playing video games. While I don't believe that we take away Facebook from the children, we the parents ahve to stay close to them and monitor their usage. No child should stay on a computer for over 4 hours unless they are doing homework.

The internet is a useful tool that provides tons of information that we can use. Idle hands do not work well with the internet. We all want to be empowered so that we can grow and the internet provides ideas, information for research, self-help tips, news and so much more. We just have to use it wisely because it is a monster that is most difficult to tame.

Why Breastfeeding is Best for Mother and Baby

Both a mother and a baby can benefit from breastfeeding because it is nutritious, healthy and saves both time and money for a family.

Breast milk offers the most nutritious food that newborn baby can receive. Breastfeeding also promotes health for a mother and it is very efficient for saving time and money.

Breast Milk Nutritious for Baby

Breast milk is naturally constituted for the healthy development of a baby. It has all the nutrients that a growing baby needs. According to the "Benefits of Breastfeeding" section of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website WomensHealth.gov, breast milk can protect babies from germs, illness and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) because of the natural antibodies, cells and hormones in the milk. Breast milk is also very easily digested by infants.

Healthy for New Mother

Breastfeeding naturally helps a new mother to lose weight because this activity can burn up to 500 calories per day. It also releases oxytocin, which according to the article "Breastfeeding Basics" on WebMD, is a hormone which which helps a mother's uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may also reduce uterine bleeding after birth.

Breastfeeding Promotes Bonding Between Mommy and Baby

Children grow up so fast and the few moments that a mother can savor with her newborn while breastfeeding are precious. Breastfeeding creates an irreplaceable bond that only a mother can give to her newborn. Because breastfeeding is such a full contact activity, both mom and baby warm each other and baby is able to familiarize herself with mom.

Breast Milk Saves Time and Money

There is no need to mix formula, heat water or use a thermos to keep water or milk warm. If the father or any caregiver has to take care of the baby while the mother runs an errand, then expressed breast milk can be fed to the infant. If a mother can express her milk and freeze it safely, there is minimal need to purchase formula which definitely saves money.

Fathers Can Assist With Breastfeeding Too

With all the benefits for mother and baby, fathers cannot be left out. Fathers can assist with burping the infant and in cases where the mother may have had a Cesarean section, he may have to assist mommy with lifting the baby and also with latching the baby to the breast. Also, once a mother expresses her milk, a dad can feed the baby.

When Breastfeeding is not an Option

There are some mothers who will not be able to produce breast milk or in cases of HIV or AIDS infection, mothers are not allowed to breastfeed. Some mothers also have a difficult time breastfeeding due to inverted nipples, poor latch or complications with the baby needing to be kept hospitalized. Not being able to breastfeed in no way diminishes a woman's value, her love or her bonding time with her baby. Instead, the mother can bottle feed and still hold and sing to her baby along with her partner to maintain that much needed bond.

Help With Breastfeeding

Most hospitals and clinics in the United States and in most Caribbean Islands will have nurses on staff who will promote and can assist with breastfeeding. In some countries, a lactation consultant is a trained person who can help mom with any breastfeeding issues. For example, a lactation consultant would help a mother with inverted nipples by suggesting the use of breast shells which assist with pulling the nipples out to make feeding easier for baby. Having this support is essential to help mothers and fathers to pass over the difficult hurdles in breastfeeding. Breast milk is natural, healthy and easily digested by babies. It saves time and money for mommy and helps her to burn calories and lose weight.

With the ability to express milk and freeze it for future use, the father and other caregivers can be a part of the breastfeeding process to help keep baby healthy. While not every mother will be able to breastfeed, for those who are able to, breastfeeding is a beautiful experience for mother and baby.

It's a New Day

The Reggae's 2006 "New Day Riddim" has a list of songs that I listen to almost every day. They are not the most popular songs on the radio today nor were they in 2006. The music is positive and caught my attention. I sat down and I searched on the internet for the songs on this riddim because there was one that I loved to hear and just could not figure out the name.

Once I realized that there was more than one song on the riddim, I looked for the song I knew "Royal Bless" by Ras Attitude. After searching on YouTube and then via Google and Yahoo, I was able to learn that the name of the riddim was the "New Day Riddim". It is a very soothing instrumental with guitar and drums being the central focus. This riddim makes me smile and inspires me with its mellow beat.

Other songs on this riddim include:

• "Always" by Niyorah

Lyrics include "It is you Jah has sent for the kingman, lovely girl, let's make love in the rain" and "I am the waterfall, you are the stream below, a blessing from the top so that your water flows".

• "Swept Away" by Abijah

"I see the youthdem starving, they're starving, on the fields where food should be farming they're fighting" and "Be swept away by the holy one" are some of the lyrics.

• "If Jah is For You" by Lutah Fyah

"If Jah is for you, then who can be against you" is the chorus.

• "Situations" by Princess Menen and Marlon Asher: "

"Situations getting rough, the life I life is rough" is part of the chorus.

• "Trodding On" by Midnite

"How many times man plant and never reap" and "The insulation of love must be fair" are some of the lyrics.

• "Human Heart" by Yami Bolo

"Everybody have a heart though it may be broken sometime" is the chorus.



I love keeping it mellow. Music is a big part of me. I enjoy and write about Reggae, R&B and Hip Hop and sometimes Gospel.

POEM: Words for Mom

It's another day in to Thank God and enjoy the life that is given to us. We are not sure if there will be a tomorrow so we must live today and do good. Mother's Day is every day and so is Father's Day. I am not a huge celebrater of these 'days' but since I am a poet and I have a diverse range of work I do have pieces that can work for these 'days'.


Words for Mom
Mom, when was the last time
I said that I loved you?
You are the one person
that I can speak openly to.

You are the one
who always lifts my spirits.
You are always telling me,
“Go for it! Go get it!”

Mom, I love you
more and more each day.
You’ve set a good example
in all you do and say.

You love God
our only foundation.
You’ve taught me to be
an inspiring mentor for this nation.

I can only wish
that I can be a parent like you
who loves her children
the way that you do.

© Linette Rabsatt

Simple Creole-Styled Tofu Recipe: A Fun & Easy Way to Prepare Tofu

Tofu is nutritious with many health benefits and can be prepared in many ways. This Simple Creole-Styled Tofu recipe is a fun and easy way to prepare tofu for a family.

Tofu is a healthy choice for both men women to add in their diet. The Leasa Industries, Inc. website states that tofu is made from soybeans that have been dried, soaked in water, crushed, and boiled. Calcium sulfate is added as a curdling agent to firm the tofu into the finished product.

Tofu Is Good for Your Health

Tofu is high in protein and low in fat and sodium. It is also is high in calcium, iron, selenium and copper. Tofu has been added to many diets to promote weight loss and to lower cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Tofu Preparation

Tofu is used in many diets as a substitute for meat. It can be fried, baked, and used in desserts, among the many uses. It can be served in curry, creole or alfredo sauce. Tofu can be scrambled and also used to make burgers. Tofu is not difficult to prepare but creativity, seasoning and herbs and spices play an important role in making it delicious.

Simple Creole-Styled Tofu

Ingredients:

• 1 16oz. firm tofu - drained and cubed
• ½ tablespoon seasoning salt (low sodium, if preferred)
• ¼ large white onion
• ½ small sweet pepper or 2 small seasoning peppers
• 1 garlic clove
• 3 sprigs of parsley
• 1 sprig of thyme
• dash of dried Oregano
• 2 dried rosemary leaves
• 4 tablespoons of ketchup or tomato paste
• ½ plum tomato, deseeded
• less than ½ teaspoon of brown sugar
• ½ small lime
• olive oil
• water

 Directions:

1.  Add seasoning salt to the tofu in a bowl with a cover, shake and set aside.
2.  Cut the sweet/seasoning pepper, tomato and onion into ½ inch pieces. Chop the garlic and parsley into small pieces. Add to sweet pepper, tomato and onion along with thyme, oregano and rosemary and set aside.
3. Using a large frying pan or a wok, add olive oil enough to the cover the bottom of the pan and heat on low fire. As soon as the oil is hot enough, add tofu. Let the tofu brown and rotate so that each side is golden.
4. Add the sweet pepper, onion, thyme, rosemary, tomato, parsley and garlic and sauté until tender.
5. Squeeze the juice from the lime and add the sugar and stir for 1 minute.
6. Add water enough to cover ½ the height of the tofu and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
7. Add the ketchup or tomato sauce and add more water if needed so that a sauce remains in the pan. Stir and let the tofu simmer covered for 3 minutes and remove from heat.

This Simple Creole-Styled Tofu recipe can be served with any starch and vegetables and is tasty and heart-healthy. This simple recipe can serve a family of four and provides a good source of essential nutrients in keeping the body healthy. 

My 200th Blog Post

This is my 200th blog post. Even though some older posts may be about past events, I like to look back and see what was done.

This blog has been a good outlet for me to share my thoughts, to vent about issues, to share events and to share poems. As I build my resume as a writer, I find that it is important to write often. I do not have a journalism education but I have a business degree with concentrations in marketing and finance. Fifteen years ago I would not have seen myself today writing a blog or publishing poems or writing for Brown Eyez Magazine, Dish Magazine, Core Magazine and Suite 101.

I am happy for this opportunity to share my thoughts as Words of Ribbon. I hope that readers have and will continue to enjoy what I write.

ribbon

Ideas for Relieving Boredom

People always get bored but there are ways to keep active and focused. Try new authors, hobbies, volunteering or join an club to stay occupied and happy.

Boredom can have negative effects because of the way it takes away positive energy. People get bored for more than one reason and it gets worse as they remain in that drudgery. Lack of television or a partner or children are not reasons to be bored. Negative effects of boredom include overeating and a potential for laziness. Instead, good alternatives to boredom engage experimentation into trying new things. Explore the world of literature, music, cooking, games and gardening. Other ways to relieve boredom include joining groups and spending time with family and friends.

Explore & Enjoy Music

There are many genres of music such as classical, pop, indie, reggae, hip hop, jazz, soca and others. It is good to explore the different types of music in the world to develop an appreciation for the different cultural influences. Conduct research on Google.com and MySpace.com on the different types of music and visit YouTube to view artists and music videos from all over the world. Be sure to take time and dance also because dancing is good exercise and can surely lift the spirit.

Research and Read New Authors

Reading is always a good pastime. Conduct a search on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other book sites for new authors, their work and customer reviews. Visit the local library and lend the titles, purchase from a thrift shop at reduced cost or enter into a book exchange to save money.

Find New Recipes for Fun

While boredom can lead to overeating, anyone who is bored can explore new and healthy recipes that can be prepared in small servings or shared with family and friends to avoid overeating. The internet provides a wealth of recipes for all types of cooking, baking and for a variety of foods.

Make Contact with Family and Friends

It is important to maintain contain with family and friends. Visit the family, especially the elders. If family members are far away, call and text or save money by chatting via an instant messaging program. Setting aside special time to visit or interact with family and close friends can ease boredom.

Play More Fun Games

There are many games to choose from to ease boredom. At home, there are crosswords, Sudoku, word search, puzzles, board games and card games. As a weekend outing, visit a bingo game or a darts or domino tournament and participate. For persons who prefer more active games or who prefer to view than participate, there are always local youth and adult games of soccer, basketball, softball and other sports.

Gardening Relieves Boredom

Gardening provides either actual food or beautiful ornamentals. Whatever the choice, gardening is a very healthy hobby that can be started on a small scale with a container garden. The National Gardening Bureau in an article, "[Why Garden: The National Garden Bureau's Top Ten] (http://ngb.org/gardening/todays/article.cfm?ID=55)" provides its top reasons for gardening which include exercising, safe and healthy food production, earning money and especially meeting emotional needs and gaining spiritual connections. Gardening is good hobby to reduce boredom by occupying spare time in a healthy way.

Volunteering

One way to reduce drudgery while giving back to the community is to volunteer with non-profit organizations such as a Humane Society or Animal Shelter, Red Cross or a community mentoring

program for youth or senior citizens. Volunteering is also a way to hone interpersonal and team-building skills by interacting with others.

Join a Group

Check the local media for the different groups in the community. Regular congregation with persons of like origin, goals and interests helps to keep balance because the common factors keep the activities interesting. In the British Virgin Islands, there are many church groups, a poetry group and other non-profit organizations. Such groups often perform community service and this makes joining more worthwhile.

The activities not only relieve monotony but offer a good way to help others. Boredom can be alleviated once there are other interests that can be developed into hobbies or positive activities. It is important to keep the mind and body stimulated to maintain health and a positive mindset. Using the internet wisely, engaging in new activities and volunteering are just some of the ways that everyday boredom can be alleviated.