Toots and the Maytals - Commodore Ballroom- July 2, 2011

What a fantastic concert! Thanks Stephanie for suggesting I buy a ticket for this show! I love reggae music but this group was unfamiliar to me. The concert was on a Tuesday evening so Stephanie suggested we go to Sanafir for dinner since it's 50% off appies on Tuesdays.

I can't believe it's taken me so long to try out this place! They have such a unique menu. It was hard to choose what to order because everything looked great.

This watermelon salad , ordered by Steph, tasted fantastic. It had never crossed my mind to put watermelon in a savoury salad but I'm going to definitely try it out too (with you, Farrah, when I come visit! Can't wait to see the sous-chef again!).

Steph also ordered some yummy salmon.

This was my favourite dish: the duck carpaccio

This one was pretty good too, though I didn't like the pita.

The opening act was a local reggae band whose name escapes me. They were okay. Then Toots' daughter performed. She is so beautiful and very talented! Black don't crack indeed!

The whole show was amazing! I had only learned a few of his songs but I recognize talent and I appreciate his graciousness and the way he tried to interact with the audience, even shaking my hand and giving me a bottle of water! What a sweet man.

Malawi and Mozambique Independence Day - Poco Inn- July 1,2011

And a happy Canada Day too! Malawi gained her independence on July 6,1964 while Mozambique gained hers on June 25, 1975. Since we don't have too many Malawians or Mozambicans in Vancouver, and also since we're neighbours geographically, we decided to host a joint independence day celebration, our first one ever. It was held at the Poco Inn in Port Coquitlam.I haven't dressed up in quite some time so it was nice to do that and do my little cousin's make-up for them.

The hall was decorated really nicely, Malawian and Mozambican flags everywhere.

It was great to meet new people and also to re-connect with old family friends I hadn't seen in a while.

There was a buffet there. I was kind of disappointed that the only African food there was ugali/nsima/sadza/fufu (depending on where you're from!) but the food was pretty good.

After a few presentations and slideshows we were entertained to a couple of raps from Jesse and some African dance from Tajah.

I've known Jesse since he was a kid. He was always so shy and now look at him! I'm definitely not a fan of hip-hop or rap in general but Jesse has talent!

All in all, it was a great night! I love my culture and love my people. God bless Africa!

Sweet Potato Curry With Spinach and Chickpeas

I need a break from all the chicken I've been eating recently! I found this recipe .
I pretty much followed the recipe except I made it more spicy by adding hot sauce. I didn't garnish it either.

Eat! Vancouver

Working at Eat!Vancouver a few weeks ago was very hectic! I only worked for one day and I used my pass to see the show for free on the second day.I was treated to a food demo by a famous Filipino chef based in California

I even got to try some chicken adobo after he was done the presentation:)

Got to watch the tail-end of a demo by Rob Feenie, Vancouver's famous Iron Chef.

Had so many samples. Did not want to see anymore food for a few hours

'Tis the Season for Smoothies!

Fruit is finally getting cheaper! I love smoothies and I find the ones I buy when I'm out contain so much sugar so it's a lot healthier to make them myself. I tried out a few recipes.


Smoothie 1

Half a large mango
Half a cup of frozen blackberries
A little milk
A little cold hibiscus ginger tea (thanks Farrah!)
Some chopped broccoli

Smoothie 2

One banana
One carton peach yogurt
Some broccoli
Half a mango

Smoothie 3

One banana
Some frozen blackberries
Milk