Kenyan Wedding

Last week we went to a friend's wedding Njuguna. Njuguna works with Brian, and he helped us settle when we first moved into our Kenyan home. It was a wonderful and beautiful experience. Enjoy the pictures!

The Best Get-Happy Foods

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By Abigail L. Cuffey

Fight stress and depression with five nutrient-buffed snacks

Sorry, ice cream isn't on the list! But the following foods do have nutrients that can help fight stress and depression, says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of Eat Your Way to Happiness.

Food: Oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits Mood-Boosting Ingredient: Vitamin C This vitamin helps you cope better in stressful times by lowering your levels of stress hormones. If you get a lot regularly, you'll feel calmer during tough situations.

Food: Nuts Mood-Boosting Ingredients: Vitamin E, arginine (an amino acid) and magnesium A handful of nuts will keep you full and satisfied because they have a low glycemic index-which means they don't jack up your blood sugar levels and cause mood swings. It also makes you feel good to eat something that seems decadent (they're considered a little bit naughty because they're high in fat) but actually has health benefits.

Food: Leafy greens Mood-Boosting Ingredient: Folic Acid Research has shown that the folic acid in leafy greens such as kale and spinach can reduce depression and even improve blood flow to the brain. If you're not eating at least one serving per day you're more than likely low in folic acid, so try getting more or consider taking a multivitamin that contains it.

Food: Salmon Mood-Boosting Ingredient: DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) The omega-3s in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines have been found to improve your mood while lowering the risk of depression and age-related memory loss. The depression link is so strong that American Psychiatric Association suggests that anyone taking antidepressants and/or going through therapy also boost her intake of omega 3s.

Food: Dried cherries Mood-Boosting Ingredients: Potassium, magnesium and vitamin C These nutrients all work to curb your body's stress response. Dried cherries also keep your brain healthy because they're packed with antioxidants (including vitamin C), which prevent damage to your brain cells that can lead to memory problems.

Introducing Yambeka Children

Yambeka Children is created to promote African literature, languages, fairly tales, and folklore. This book will be available soon in 5 different African languages including Oshiwambo. You can follow us on Facebook to keep up with the updates. No parts of this material may be reproduced in any form without a written permission. Copyright 2009 by Yambeka Children. All rights reserved.

Visiting Machako in Kenya

Last week, we visited Machako which is about 70 Km away from Nairobi. We visited the farm, ate some good Kenyan nyamachoma (Barbecued meat), and the kids had so much fun exploring.

About to have some fun at the farm!

Picking some banana, so much fun!

Pumkins

Kassava

Coffee

Coffee

Who said we can't go Trick or Treat in Africa?

My son asked me if people celebrate Halloween in Africa? I said no, but every time we turn on the kids programs, they're talking about Halloween. We decided to create some Halloween arts activities; surprisingly, yesterday when we were driving to the mall we saw an ad about Halloween for the kids. Will defnt. take the kids there tomorrow.

Visiting friends

My family and I went to visit Angie, Kapala's friend in Nairobi. As you can see in the pictures, the children had a ball. They performed, and posed for some snap shot.

My Hairstyle my Choice!

I came across people from different background, who posed unique questions concerning my hairstyle. I respect everyone's opinion, infarct, sometimes I like the attention I receive about my hairstyle. Why did you decide to twist your hair/ I love your hairstyle/How do you start/ Wow, you look cool. I get these questions often. But this specific date, a woman stopped me while I was taking the kids for a walk, and looked at my son, and looked at me and said, "Why did you chose to have this hairstyle? Why don't you just wear a normal hairstyle." I looked her straight in the eyes, and asked her, "Do you really wanna know, (with a look on my face that hint her that you should probably leave, because you might not like what I'm about to say)." She said, yes go ahead. Beside us was one of the neighbors and I could tell she was ready to hear what I was about to say. I tried hard to be calm, and respond in a calm voice. Even though I don't mind sharing the main reason, I decided not to explain myself, because she does not deserve it. I decided to go deep with it, First I looked on her hairstyle, unfortunately, she had no hair. I asked her: "Why is it that when black people put chemical in their head, or wear the fake weave, or extension braid, no one question them? Is it because that's perceived to be beautiful? Its interesting, that many young people walk around with them fake weave to make their looks like straight hairs, and thinking that by wearing that will make them beautiful. I think that mentality have to change for really. To me that's a sign that you're trying to be something that you're not. God gave me kinky/nappy hair, and I'll embrace that whenever I feel like it. Then she said, enough, enough I heard you. Then she asked again, are they heavy? the lady who was standing next to us, responded, "Look at my hairstyle (she was wearing extension braid) do you ask if their heavy or not? Its just hair." I decided to end it there. I don't have a problem with anyone's hairstyle, or asking me respectful question about my hairstyle, but I don't appreciate when someone tells me that I should wear my hair differently. My hairstyle is my choice period.