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Showing posts from January, 2015

Fox in the Box

Best English-speaking African Countries Revealed-Find out Cameroon's Place

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The World Linguistic Agency ranks Uganda as the best English-speaking country in Africa. Pointless to add that some Ugandans were sceptical about this news as they left FB comments doubting the validity of the research. The question I always pose is whose interest is served. South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Namibia followed in that order. Nigerians were particularly applauded for making great attempts to express themselves in English with little grammatical errors. Could this be as a result of the new wave of potent writers from Nigeria? mapsofworld.com Unfortunately/fortunately, Cameroon was not among the listed countries. Does this mean Cameroonians do not know how to express themselves in accurate English? Well, given the socio-cultural environment in which Cameroonians are immersed, the aftermath of colonialism and the constant importation of popular culture into local spaces, it becomes complicated to tackle speaking English as it should. However, Cameroonians have made att

CRTV's New Website Impresses-Disappointed with Results

I must applaud the efforts of CRTV's online team for creating a nouvel website which sorts of represents the expectations of the technological age. The web site is well-presented, fairly animated, and inviting. But as usual, majority of the stories are in French whereas The Constitution of Cameroon categorically spells that "both official languages shall have equal status", and not representative status. Someone is surely not respecting The Law of the People, and I hope that they make attempts to address it. The fact that I'm unable to listen or watch news live from CRTV is again another issue with the website. I only get slots of news items which could be unsatisfying for those of us who would like to keep abreast with the complete package of home content. I presume this is the beginning and like with every start, baby steps are crucial. I can't undermine how this website would in some way, serve the interest of the diaspora community. My expectation is that th

Are You Suffering from any Pain? Try Turmeric!!!

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Turmeric is a food ingredient which is available in various forms in the market used for beauty treatments, to relieve common ailments and most recently claims that it can cure cancer. I have used both the powder and the tablet; the former for cooking and the latter to relieve me of some body aches. Often times, I multitask within the day and it usually leads to fatique and pain. I was exhausted taking paracetamol prescribed by the doctors and so I went for turmeric which  Expanded Consciousness  had posted about some time ago. I initially bought the powder, and mixed in my milk to drink half a tea-spoon every evening before going to bed. It proved to be helpful, but I did not like neither the taste nor the colour because it had a unusually bitter taste and turned my tongue yellowy. I researched more on the tablet form and I was convinced it is pretty much same only in tablet form. I bought it and was very pleased with the outcome. Thrilled that this worked for me I have decided t

Will You Marry Yourself if You Don't Find a Someone? These People Did!

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Congratulations to Yasmin Eleby's bold first step to be one of the first black woman to marry herself in the 21st Century. Is there a scarcity of black men or why has she taken that route? is it self love, or she couldn't just find Mr. Right. My guess is that it may just start a trend for many who may not be in a position to find that perfect match. That's if we ever find perfection in imperfect humans. Well, the ceremony was mainly spiritual as it is illegal to self-marry either in the US or marked boundary. What minister of God marries one person. What does the Bible say about marriage? And who am I to sit here and make judgement? Congratulations Yasmin Eleby!!! This story matches another reported by the Daily Guardian some months back. I shrugged my shoulders thinking it was a one off, but it seems I was wrong as it becomes a trendy practice. Grace Gelder who first went down the aisle considered marrying herself as 'empowering', and not necessarily femin

Do You Master Your Menstrual Cycle? Effects of Hormonal Inbalances

Many women and men think that hormonal imbalances are a normal human phenomenon, but it appears as though it should not be treated as normal. As women, we should make extra efforts to monitor our menstrual cycles as this could help in the control of outbursts and temperaments. According to an online reference, if hormonal imbalances remain untreated there is a risk for cells to miss out their communication patterns culminating to diseases such as diabetes, cardiac disease and cancer. How does one obtain some degree of hormonal balance? 1) Eat quality protein 2)Take a brisk walk every day in natural light 3)Abstain from aluminium (use aluminium free deodorants) To fully grasp who you are, you need to master what comes out of you and how it makes you feel. Create a chart of your menstrual cycle that would enable you monitor your hormones and help detect any inconsistencies for ex. regular vs. irregular periods. If you keep a chart, you'd be positioned such that you can co

Daughter Makes Suggestions for "Queen of Africa" Dolls

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The dolls which aims to depict the outlook of black/brown skinned girls and empower them is to me a great venture and I'm very much impressed by the progress. Coming from a cultural studies and political economy background, I think this adds to ethnic diversity within this genre of products. The political economy side of me sees this as a business which has identified a gap in the market, grasped the opportunity and it set to make millions.   I would have loved one for my girls, but they are more inclined to having helicopters and trucks for toys. One of my little pearls loved them at first sight, but expressed the view that she didn't like the straight eye-brows and the lip gloss on their mouths. She would have preferred one without make-up and with hair that's not weaved. That's the talk of a toddler-these dolls are just take-away! Photo: Afropunk.com

Looking for a Boy Child? Here's How to do 'it'!

I can't believe this is true and would love for us all to share knowledge on these points. It is most probable to have a boy child 1) Have intercourse on the day of ovulation because male sperm are reported to swim faster and reach the egg first 2)Avoid meeting with your partner a week before ovulation 3) Your partner keeps his genitals cool etc 4) Get to orgasm before your partner does... 5) Try a position that will allow you have deeper sex such as standing up. This is getting really out of hand. Soon, they'll ask one to do a headstand. 6)Your man should wear boxers to free his area, he should drink coffee and the list goes on? But how do we distinguish folk tale from facts? Any evidence to the above claims? 7) You've got to tweak your diet in some cases Now, the above reads ludicrous and points to unconfirmed sources. Unfortunately/fortunately, there are no empirical evidences to proof that any of the above cited ways can actually trigger a 100% chance of a woma

Word to the Wise

It is unacceptable to cheat on your partner

You Can Bake Bread With Beetroot-Yes, it's Doable!

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Click on Video to learn how you can make bread with some beetroot colouring...you may want to find out how to make beetroot colouring. Knowing how to produce beetroot colouring could be a fantastic business idea. Go this website to find out how to make beetroot colouring. It is pretty simple-just a little much to read:http://backtoherroots.com/2012/11/28/all-natural-beet-juice-red-food-coloring/ I should try one by weekend! Will definitely post.

The Beautiful Beetroot-Don't Ignore!

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I never go shopping without a pack of beetroot for our morning juice. Irrespective of how you prepare it, beetroot is said to be a strong anti-oxidant, it is equally low in fat and loaded with vitamins. Who would ignore it after reading its use? According to research, beetroot can increase white blood cells, and if you studied Introductory Biology , you'd immediately recall that white blood cells destroy antibodies. Beetroot juice has another benefit of reducing blood pressure, thus working towards the prevention of heart disease and stroke. Findings from studies reveal the nitrate in beetroot can help in heart attack survival. oh wow! Can't somebody just make nitrate supplement from purely beetroots and help safe lives for generations to come? There are different ways to prepare beetroot. I usually mix in some carrots, beetroot, mandarin and banana to blend. Thereafter, I sieve it (this is optional) and then drink! It keeps me going till mid day. Delphine G Ngehndab 7

Nasa Releases Image of the Andromeda Galaxy-Breath-taking

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As I make attempts to grapple with my very little existence and its purpose, NASA releases some mind-blowing images which sorts of interprets my insignificance. How I feel really small after watching these mind-blowing images. And to think that all of these happened in one big coincidence (Big Bang) is yet to sink in my mind. If you are keen, watch video

To Consume or Not to Consume Red Palm Oil? Find Out!

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And so here I am trapped in the world's web sourcing information on palm oil, and its health repercussions. The commonality in most sources (see listed below) is that the over-consumption of palm oils can lead to inflammation in humans. This triggers a rush of thoughts in my brain interrogating what else shall we consume if palm oil is that bad. It is the primary oil used in many of the foods cooked in Africa. Well, it turns out coconut oil is good.(Will expand on this in another post). Photo:pixshark.com the oil does not look like the red palm oil I know. More like Achu. I am not done with this palm oil issue until I understand one positive value of palm oil. I think I wanted to feed my eagerness to comprehend whether or not what I have been consuming from birth is a potential health hazard. Then I stumble on Dr. Oz's account which expands on why we should give palm oil a try. Dr. Oz explains that Red palm fruit oil which should not be confused with palm kernel oil is

Find Out the Value of Bone Broth (Bone marrow pepper soup)

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Click link to find out how enriching this broth is: http://www.thecoveteur.com/hemsley-hemsley-bone-broth/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social%20media&utm_campaign=hemsley-hemsley-bone-broth Photos:www.coveteur.com

How Does Someone Who is Not Gay Play Gay?

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Following reports, Kevin Hart denounced the role of Alpa Chino in Tropic Thunder mainly because he could not play 'gay'. How does someone who is not gay play gay? But then again isn't he suppose to be an actor? His denial could defeat the purpose of role-playing. When asked if he would ever play a gay role, here's what he said, "I can't not because I have any ill will or disrespect", but because he'd can't. Does this speak to his experience and his ability to execute any performance as an actor? Apparently, yes. Kevin Hart explained he possibly take on a gay function once he has sufficient experience under his belt. I think for now, he can't muster enough courage. It is just too much. Please do not read this article in terms of race. It is the individual. Aren't actors suppose to be fluid? Do you believe he was right? please share your thoughts. Photo: yahoo.co.uk For more vibes on this go to: https://uk.yahoo.com/movies/kevin-ha

African Cup of Nations: Where to Watch Online

Today's fixtures: Ivory Coast Vs Guinea, and Mali takes on Cameroon. Match time: 5pm and 8pm respectively. That'll be 4pm and 7pm UK time. For detailed information and online commentaries click on the following links  http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/african/ http://www.cafonline.com/ http://www.supersport.com/football/africa-cup-of-nations/ http://www.soccer24.com/africa/africa-cup-of-nations/ For those who want to watch on television, check out Eurosport. I'm afraid I haven't found any site that streams live. If you know, please add on the comment section. Thank you

Hydroquinone in your Body Cream-Use it or Not, Get Informed!

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Hydroquinone is a chemical element often linked with use in skin lighteners, and it is said to be one of the most malignant ingredients used in the preparation of body creams for women of colour. The regular application of body cream with this ingredient could expedite health hazards. According to safecosmetics.org, the overuse of hydroquinone which can be found in facial creams, body lotions, nail glue, and hair conditioners is an "impurity". What sane person applies an 'impurity' onto their skin? Photo: www.nursingconsult.com Hydorquinone is banned from cosmetics in the UK, countries within the European Union and restricted use in Canadian cosmetics. The US Cosmetics Ingredients Review Panel clearly emphasises that hydroquinone is dangerous for direct application on the skin even when combined with other oils. The problem is that very lax rules have engineered its continuous use among women of colour who are are most likely to utilise this ingredient. For the

One Dream

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A Quick Lunch Idea

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Tamarind and Thyme on food travels. I'm salivating. Hope you had a wonderful time! I put something snappy for today's lunch. Hope it inspires you. Mackerel infused with garlic and parsley. Roasted potatoes, carrots and onions. Some fish sauce and green herbs....Whilst I was at this, my blogger friend was on what seemed to me a different planet. (See photo above).

Don't Cook Your Rice Until You've Washed it and Here's Why!

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Is it easy for you to bring your rice to boil with a pinch of salt without washing? A finding revealed on consumerreports.org together with the Food and Drug Administration in the US warn of an alarming rate of arsenic in rice. But what is arsenic and how does it affect the human body you'd sensibly ask. Valid question as I searched to know, too. Well, I scoured the web to find out that arsenic is an element found in pesticides and the soil. Constant exposure to even small levels of arsenic may alter the way our body cells communicate and trigger lung and liver diseases not leaving out cancer. If high levels of arsenic is found in our cherished rice, it becomes imperative to take caution. What then can be done for those who won't spare rice like myself? 1) Take proper precaution in choosing the type of rice you purchase-some sources say Thai Jasmine and Indian Basmati have significantly low levels of arsenic 2)Rinse your rise thoroughly until that seemingly milky water i

Do You Wear Your Bra 24/7 to Stop Breast Sagging? Think Again!

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It is often difficult to find one's exact bra size. In Cameroon, it is common place to get to the market and sort out from the different types what you think could be suitable to keep your breasts in tact. It is increasingly hard for those with bigger breasts to find their appropriate size types. The bra size you wear determines how comfortable you can be in your dress, and in running around. Wearing the right size is absolutely germane. wikihow.com I don't seem to crack the nut on breast sagging given the claims made by those who constantly wear bras that there is a potential of preventing sagging breasts. Could that be true? So I go in search for the right answers and as usual, there exists a myriad of views on this. I had a chit-chat with one of my friends who said she now resents wearing bras 24/7. Her reasons were quite simple ones: "It's tight, my back around where the bra is strapped aches, and each time I wear my bra for more than 12 hours, my boobs star

Weekend Things-unfortunately

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Sleep Positions-How to Sleep Well!

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 As mothers, we should equally find out the best sleeping positions for babies. I wonder why these positions are thought safe. According to http://www.abc.net.au, placing children to sleep on their back can play a significant contribution in prohibiting Sudden Infant Death Syndrome also often referred to as 'cot death.' How do you lay your child to rest? Make sure you take precaution Photo: www.abc.net.au Did you know that the manner in which you lay your body to rest affects other areas as well? In as much as sleep is essential, it is valuable to learn to sleep in a position that benefits most parts of your body. As a woman, I find it extremely hard to sleep on one position for long particularly on my chest. It is even harder to sleep on the side if I don't wear a suitable lingerie to hold my mammary glands in place. lol. Frankly, a better sleeping position ensures quality rest and hugely impacts on how you feel the next day.

Understanding the Potential of Your Brain

"The Brain processes everything as true." This is vital as it is purported that all brains have the potential to achieve the best if we train it to. If you think you cannot do something, the brain will form a chain of activity to produce the outcome of your thought. You have the ability to excel in anything you put your mind to. "The secret in learning is dependent on what we think. What we think determines how we perform." Please watch the video and maximise your potential: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4O_Wkv66b0 PUT YOUR MIND TO IT, STAY FOCUSED.

Woman Accused of Being a Man

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Sexism at its peak as the Federation of African Football (CAF) demand that Genoveva Anonma, Equatorial Guinea Striker take off all her clothes infront of all officials of CAF and the Equatorial Guinea team. She says, "these accusations come because I am fast and strong, but I know that I am definitely a woman. I was hoping they would call me to tell me they were taking me to hospital to so tests, but they never did. They did nothing to me. It was just down to me alone to defend myself to state that I am not a man, I am a woman." Photo:bbc.co.uk The consequence, she's moving away to play for either France or Germany. Gender testing in sport remains highly controversial, but could the officials have requested her to proof her gender by other means? Story excerpt  http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30760929