Refreshment, Recipes & Freedom Songs
Breadfruit is a healthy, filling and delicious staple that grows on a tree in tropical places. It’s a very versatile food that can be boiled, baked, roasted, pickled or fried, and when over-ripe, even blended into drink or made into a dessert. Today, we’re boiling breadfruit, not til it’s soft enough to mash but enough […]
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Blessed day beautiful people. It’s no secret that naturally-grown (otherwise known as organic) fruits, vegetables and provisions are good for our health but a lot of the time the nutritious value of the leaves springing from these same plants don’t get as much attention as they could. This wasn’t always so, but change in the […]
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Soursop, full of nutrients yet low in calories and high in fibre, folic acid, protein and flavour. It’s a very juicy fruit but like the name says, not the sweetest yet still one of the healthiest natural foods that grows mostly in South America and The Caribbean. There’s a tree in the yard and I’ve […]
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When an artist launches a career without comprising the essence of who they are, it becomes something beyond a business; it’s a way of life. That was clear as we walked through the open entrance and were met with the sun-bronzed back of Brian Talma watching the waves while waiting for us to arrive. In the background was […]
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Your hair is beautiful, sister – no matter the texture, volume, length, bounce or curl count. It was purposefully placed on you – get to know it while it’s there (knots and all.) As you get acquainted and care for your hair, understanding what it likes and doesn’t like – what it can do and […]
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The next time you want a light yet filling vegetarian-friendly meal, how about making turmeric rice and brown lentil stew? With the current warnings about global food access, learning how to make resourceful yet tasty meals is something to consider. Today’s recipe features 2 dry ingredients that can be stored well to last long and […]
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Time…it’s one of the first things that comes up when many of us either think about nurturing ourselves, whether it’s stepping up our skin-or-hair care routine, eating better, getting more movement in, reading that book, or starting some other healthy habit. Yet, when we purposely carve out time or recognize moments that align with those […]
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Sweet sunrises Birdsong melodies Lush greenery Beautiful scenery Daily rain showers Refreshing breeze At Talking Trees – a comfy, cosy cabin in the country. I used to live in a village near here for years, but this particular part of “the farmers’ parish” in the countryside of Barbados where my sistren’s house is, offers a […]
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So the new Duronic Slow Juicer arrived and I thought I’d share a short review of it. Since the first green juice post is a crowd favourite here on the blog, there’s a recipe for another blend in this post too. I was advised to get a slow-pressed juicer rather than a conventional one because […]
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Hi, let’s make some breadfruit cou-cou with curry bodi (long beans) and greens, plus a bonus snack from the leftovers. Have you heard of or tried breadfruit before? If so, you might know already that it can be prepared and eaten so many different ways – roasted whole or sliced and fried like chips, boiled […]
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Gardening is a moving meditation and workout but it’s also healthy for the mind. I find thoughts slow down to a more peaceful pace and the nature of them – amidst nature is often lighter than when we’re consciously working out. Another beautiful thing about the process of planting is the amazing fact that fruit, […]
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100 countries? On ‘Top 45 Caribbean Lifestyle Blogs & News Websites To Follow‘ by FeedSpot amidst all those big budget companies 2 years and counting? With no paid promotion, blogging on a phone for a year with dinky wifi half the time – working from home before it was trendy these days? God is good, […]
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Wholesome educational books for the younger generation stand out like a safe house in a snow storm these days and today’s post features just that. Gabriel and Stacey Welch of Gabcey Productions are the writers and publishers of the ‘Lily And Luca” adventure series, which features two books in two languages (English and French) so […]
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Breadfruit trees decorate many roadsides of the country and parts of the coast in and around Barbados. Although it’s a fruit, like its name says it’s bready in texture and makes a healthy, wholesome staple that’s so versatile it could be added to most menus on any given day. Otherwise known as ‘Ulu in Hawai’i […]
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“O I know my calling, yes I know my duty He doh have to pay me to sign up an’ join His army He has got the power to save and set you free, bring us joy an’ comfort for eternity, yeah… I am a souljah fightin’ for Jah Jah | yes, He will protect […]
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Hey, how’s your day going so far sis? Hopefully not overwhelming and if it is, sending compassion your way. One of the lessons I’ve learned along the way is that life doesn’t need to seem glamorous to others (or us) to be precious. Sometimes, having everything handed to us without any effort stirs up a […]
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Hiii, let’s make some healthy and delicious okra soup that’s full of flavour and vegetarian-friendly. Of course you can add something else you think will go well or better with these ingredients.This is my standard recipe that I tweak every now and then. Sometimes bean or rice noodles are in the mix or a few […]
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Learning how to care for your naturally curly, springy hair is a refining journey that can reveal a lot about perception of physical beauty, patience and consistency. How we think about our hair shapes how our hair reacts to us. The same way we can have tough expectations of others is the same way we […]
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An early start on a bright and breezy day in a place called Portugal. The first mission was to visit a place neither of us had been to before – an olive oil factory. Growing up in The Caribbean, I’ve used oils my whole life. From being given cod liver oil, castor oil and shark […]
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Hiya, here’s a short video of a recent trip. You’ll see: Sunrises from the balcony Fuseta rooftops A visit to an olive oil factory Boatrides A beach on Ilha Da Culatra A beach on Ilha Da Tavira Sunset, Sand, Seagulls & Shells Thanks for coming by and reading today’s post. Your visit to itsjoywithin.com means […]
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A little time amidst creation or even a few moments watching a nature video can inspire lighter thoughts and a brighter state of mind and being. Hope this short video from our nature walk does just that and more for you today, sweet sister.
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Five forms of transport in one day. It was a steady series of observations while getting around on land, moving underground, chugging across railway lines and careening across the sky within a specific pocket of time. That day, we travelled by car, train, tube, bus, foot and plane. Along with the fact that each of […]
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What’s everyday scenery for somebody is a sight to see for another. The first time I ever saw a swan in real life is this year and I’ve been walking by and observing them, the geese and ducks almost every day since. Moments like these are so peaceful, even amidst the ‘potta’ of the world. […]
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Blessed love. Have you ever had vegetable broth? If so, you already know how refreshing it is on an early morning or chilly evening. Even if you prefer a thick, homemade soup with peas, greens, dumplings and ground provisions too, a broth with the right combination of spices, seasonings and vegetables can be just as […]
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It’s a natural brain food, hair growth herb, immune system support, soup flavour enhancer, skin rejuvenator that’s also rich in antioxidants – rosemary. This herb has been used throughout centuries, generations and in several different locations and traditions. Today it’s all about re-growing or propagating the fragrant rosemary from cuttings taken from a healthy plant. […]
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Blessed day. Let’s talk tonics and organic fragrances. The sweet aromas of spices can add to the cosiness of a home, but they’re also nutritional and medicinal to the body on their own. Recently, I made a tea tonic with citrus fruits and spices that helps trim the waistline, revitalize the immune system, enhance the […]
Read MoreMinutes before midday on December 11th (a few days ago), I was sharing another revelation I had recently of the people in the world being prepared for some morphing into otherworldly beings through events and groups like ‘Trek*ies,’ ‘C*micon,’ An*mecon, the Sn*pChat animal features photos, other avatar/cartoon face simulations and more. Dress rehearsals and test-runs […]
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You know how lifting weights and the most effective workout regimens have intervals with rest in between series, and marathoners have water station breaks to pace themselves well and be refreshed along the way to avoid konkin’ out midway? Let’s talk about rest, refreshment and receiving.
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Peas and beans are light on the pocket and on the tummy when included in a meal. It still amazes me that we’ve been given food in the form of fruits, vegetables and ground provisions and sustenance and medicine…
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It usually starts on an early morning; the art of roti making for me. In this post, we’re highlighting paratha in particular. Paratha is a flaky, layered kind of flatbread that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner and as a snack. It’s indigenous to Indian cuisine and usually accompanied by a combination of fillings […]
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Anyone else have days when you want to eat something light, fresh, healthy and (mostly) un-cooked for lunch? Salads can make light yet filling lunches and be more than a miscellaneous colourful addition to a hot meal, tucked away at the side of a plate. With a little innovation, adding different combinations of flavours, textures, […]
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Today’s theme is fast-becoming a hot topic around the map. Gardening – growing and storing food, to be precise. Along with being a means of producing food in front of our very eyes and enhancing our physical and mental health, gardening can also lead to a lighter shopping bill at harvest time, provision at home […]
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When you think about your purpose, priorities, personality and pace, what does the design of your day and rhythm of life look like? Are those areas harmonizing well or is there some friction or conflict in the mix? We’re all works in progress and this isn’t a quiz but if you’re like me, you do […]
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Today’s guest in the ‘Celebrate A Sister‘ series is a beloved sistren of mine. We’ve shared the stage as part of a dance group in Barbados, lived in the same countryside parish for years, and had many deep conversations and creative collaborations. Through Rachelle’s gift for writing and photography she ushers us along her sojourn […]
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Composting offers an eco-friendly way to recycle food scraps and yard waste, ensuring you get a final use out of such household by-products. It’s also a great way to teach ourselves about sustainability and nature. In this blog, we’ll dig into the joys of compost: how to get started on composting turn your food […]
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Though it may always not feel like it, we are all being given a chance to learn how to be more vigilant, resourceful, frugal and thankful in these times. When the alphabet shopping system rolled out in Barbados last year (2020), we were officially designated one or two days within a window of time to […]
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Today I’m inviting you for a virtual forest visit with pics sharing: homecooking moments forest flower bouquets a quad bike ride target practice nature walks all in a forest in east Germany where I’ve been visiting friends for a few weeks. Thousands of years ago, a large portion of what is now this vast forest, […]
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cosy: (adjective) giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation. Ideally, a home is a safe and cosy place to live in or consistently return to. It may not always look or feel that way depending on your circumstances or season, but whatever the case, there are some steps we can take to create a […]
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5 ingredients and 10 mins. is all it takes to make and enjoy a green juice that can enhance your health in a multitude of ways. The fact that it’s a juice and not a smoothie means it’s taking all the fiber out (separating it from the juice) so you’ll be taking in a concentrated […]
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Quality of life. More and more, it seems we’re all being reminded about what that is and how much it matters to each gifted day and our overall journey. In these odd times in this upside-down world, being proactive about our priorities, thought life, health habits, interactions, peace of mind, time, intricacies, stress level and […]
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When’s the last time you went on a slow nature walk, where you weren’t pressed to rush back home, meet anyone or do anything else right after? Nature walks – especially ones lasting at least an hour, can be so therapeutic; nourishing to the soul and our state of mind. You don’t need to save […]
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See that beautiful woman? Well, that was my grandmother whom everyone affectionately called “mum.” An indigenous Kalinago woman who helped raise me until she passed when i was 10. I’ve missed her so much since then but am so thankful to have had her in my life. At secondary school, we were told rough things […]
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He was sitting on a broken chair in the middle of a roundabout on the outskirts of town. i walked over, handed him something and said, “God loves you” before crossing over to head to pay a bill. He looked at me surprised as said – kinda harsh in a way, “I KNOW!” Instead of […]
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The phone pinged. 10pm plus change. I was walking past it at the same time and casually glanced at the screen, without picking it up. Hmmm. A one-line business question popped up, sent from a reasonably new client. It wasn’t a sister-friend or my mum sending an urgent message or prayer request, in which case […]
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Hey there, today I’m sharing a reminder to encourage you or anyone who is growing through a storm… Your life has a purpose that goes way beyond your circumstances, business and achievements. Purpose is that engine that enables us to stand when the winds are strong; along with hope, it compels us forward in life […]
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Working from home is an interesting experience, with its fair share of perks, challenges and adventures. You ever have the compulsion to just go for a walk or drive anywhere or edit the design and tempo of your day whenever you’re inspired to? Well, you can when you work-from-home, for the most part. Still, it […]
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Doubles a treat and a half for any Trini or anybody who enjoys a good curry. What are they? I’m so glad you asked. ‘Doubles‘ are a popular savoury pastry filled with curries peas, originating in one of the Caribbean culinary capitals that is Trinidad & Tobago. Tucked inside two flaps of soft yet supple […]
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Walking and climbing have become a natural part of my life; adventure-filled journeys across different terrain, in all kinds of weather, from as early as the first birds sound their voices and the sun ☀️ starts to peek through clouds on the vast eastern sky. Are you into walks or hikes? The slow discovery of […]
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Kalanchoe pinnata | Wonder of the world | Leaf of life | Air plant | Bryophyllum pinnatum. Did you know that ‘wonder of the world’ leaf is edible, and that it can be helpful to treat headaches, coughs and congestion? (Notice I say ‘can,’ right?.) I’ve grown, used and munched on this beautiful plant for […]
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Ever since volunteering as a farmer for a year awhile back, gardening has become one of the beautiful additions to my life. Saving seeds, tending to plants, digging up soil, composting, watering, monitoring weeds and pests, moving stubborn rocks from future garden beds, hands in the earth tilling willing soil, lifting buckets of one things […]
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Hi everybody, something special for you today. If you’ve been here awhile on the blog you might have seen the new link to the online shop pop up. Well, two of the sweet additions are English lavender and Ethiopian Frankincense infused in Golden jojoba oil there for you, but to get to that, first a […]
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Delicious, great, satisfying, healing, excellent: words the 5 of us used to describe the dish today’s guest is sharing with us. Our plates were handed to us as we sat under a chastity tree in the yard on an overcast afternoon. Homecooked ital food was on the menu for this creative family who invited us […]
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Blessed love beautiful people, today is the official launch of “Shine On You“ – the first single from my upcoming album “Kingdom Call.” For anyone who has been through a struggle or is on the way to overcoming one all now, this reggae soul anthem is comfort food for the soul and shares a message […]
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Joyful Life | On Purpose 