Bonaire 2020: The Dutch Antilles

A trip to the grocery store is a real cultural event in Bonaire. Influence from Holland is most prevalent with Dutch cheeses abounding!

Dutch chocolate also comes in many varieties and is a real treat. Most labels are in Dutch. Sometimes you can tell what a product is... and sometimes not!

The island has a large Asian population as well and the stores often carry a good selection of Asian foods. Some are difficult to identify - even when the name of the product is in English! We simply don't have the variety of roots, mushrooms and herbs that are found in China and elsewhere in the Orient.

One fruit native to Arkansas is the persimmon, but Chinese persimmons are 3 or 4 times the size of Arkansas persimmons.

This is a dried persimmon.

Milk only comes in A-Sep packaging and is all shelf stable until you open it.

Papiamento is the native language on the island, but Dutch is quite common and most people speak at least some English. 

Bonaire 2020: Underwater Life

I never get tired of seeing all the fish and corals under the sea! The Caribbean is packed full beyond imagination and there is still plenty of room for more. Most of the time, divers are inconsequential observers and are basically ignored by the creatures we encounter.

Bonaire 2020: Acclimating

For our first day on the Island we planned an easy dive at Buddy's Reef. Our pre-dive check revealed a couple of problems with Ron's (brand new) gear. One issue was resolved with a quick switch of BCD hoses between Ron and his wife Connie. The 2nd issue, a missing O-ring on his BC, could not be mended before the dive. Connie, Fred and I made the dive without him and he snorkelers on top.

Like lots of other activities, diving requires a minimum of technical equipment. The safety check before a dive is critical to everyone's safety. The equipment and knowing how it works is part of the fun. Some folks get into it more than others and its amusing to watch the real "gear heads" suit up before a dive.

The minimum needed is a BCD (buoyancy control device,) a regulator (to get air from the tank to you,) weights and a mask. We also always dive with a wet suit and booties. 

Blended Whiskey Sours

Our family has a holiday tradition of serving a whiskey sour "slush" before dinner at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here is the recipe, courtesy of my brother Bert who is (mostly) in charge of this now.

Ingredients:

12 oz. can frozen concentrate orange juice.

big heaping spoonful of frozen limeade concentrate.

10 oz. of whiskey (more or less.)

ice

7-up

Adjust all the ingredients to your own taste and preference. Put everything in a blender and mix it to a slushie consistency! Enjoy!

Recycled Christmas Cards

Did you receive a nice stack of beautiful Christmas cards last year? Are you still hanging onto them?

Rather than throw them away, recycle them as gift decorations and tags this Christmas!  Cut the front (picture) off the card and place it on brown paper bags or plainly wrapped gift boxes.

You can also use the card to cover up store logos on the bags and boxes so that you can recycle paper products you might otherwise throw away.  Write the recipient's name on the card so that the decoration doubles as a gift tag.

Add tissue paper and ribbon to match the cards.

Choose cards that fit the size of your package or cut the cards to fit.

Use several cards as a collage to cover up a large imprint on a retailer's bag or box.

Cards can be cut into smaller pieces to use as hanging gift tags. Just punch a hole in one end and thread a ribbon or string through it. Fill in the back with your recipient's name and voila!

Keep your eyes open throughout the year for boxes and bags to use with this recycling project. Designate a box or tub in your storage unit to hold all the supplies until the next Christmas season arrives!

A Neti Pot Made Simple

With cold and flu season upon us, this would be a great time to start using your Neti Pot on a regular basis. Flushing your sinuses will help cleanse bacteria from them as well as making it difficult for new bacteria or viruses to lodge and thrive in your system.

There are numerous posts and videos on the internet with instructions on how to use your neti pot, so I won't provide the basics here. What I do want to offer are some ideas and tips beyond the basics.

I try to use my neti pot at least once a week and more often if I feel stuffed up or like I might be fighting off an infection of some sort. A neti pot is just one more tool in your arsenal to help your body fight off viruses and bacteria. It helps your body do what it is designed to do naturally: fight off illness.

1. Gather your materials before starting. You'll need your neti pot, your water source, baking soda and or salt, a spoon and a hankerchief all within easy reach.
2. There is a long learning curve to neti pot use. You get better every time you use it. Give yourself plenty of tries to get it right. You really have to lean way over the sink - it's a little different for everyone.
3. Don't use water that is too warm. If your flush stings or is uncomfortable, you may need cooler water. 
4. Try baking soda instead of or in addition to salt. Baking soda has an alkalizing effect which makes it difficult for bacteria and viruses to survive. It also has a buffering effect which makes the flush a little easier on your sinuses.
5. Expel the solution from your nose by blowing down into the sink. If you need to blow more, do it gently and expel from both nostrils at the same time. Blowing too aggressively or one side at a time forces the liquid into your Eustachian tubes. You might have a little drip minutes after you finish so keep your hanky handy.
6. Use a cloth hanky instead of tissues. You'll go through a lot of paper tissues due to the amount of solution. A hanky is a more absorbant option and it's easier on your skin.

A plastic neti pot for travel

Those are my best practices for neti pot use. Don't give up! You'll be glad you worked this into your normal health routine. In addition to fending off illness you'll probably find that you breath easier and your sense of smell is improved after a nasal flush.

For other simple tips to avoid getting sick this winter, check out my list at https://practicallymargaret.blogspot.com/2018/06/strengthen-your-immune-system.html

Simple Fruit Fly Trap

This fruit fly trap works so well and costs almost nothing!

Fruit fly season is in full swing during the summer at my house.  If you eat and cook with fresh fruits and vegetables, you may be doing battle with them as well!  This simple to make trap will solve your problem!

You'll Need:

A wide mouth quart jar

A sheet of white paper

Tape

Bait - Almost anything that the flies are attracted to will work for bait. Wine, vinegar, fruit, etc. (Just use leftover items if they are available; no need to expend fresh resources on such pesky insects!)

Instructions:

1. Form a sheet of white paper into a cone shape.  Leave the small end open no larger than the size of a pencil.  Tape in place.
2. Place your bait in the bottom of the jar.
3. Place the paper cone in the jar.  Be sure the bottom of the cone does not touch the fruit or liquid in the bottom.
4. Place your trap in the location where you have the most fruit flies.  Flies will be attracted to the bright white paper and the smell of your bait.  When they make their way down through the cone they won't be able to find their way back out.

If you add a liquid to the jar rather than solid fruit, many of the fruit flies will drown in the jar. Either way, step outside before removing the cone from the jar so as not to release the flies back into your house!