Wednesday, March 4, 2015

NIGERIAN CHAPMAN DRINK

BY OBOBI NNENNE KALU

Hello Everyone, this is how to make chapman, very appetizing!

Ingredients for Nigerian Chapman drink:

½ cup Grenadine Syrup
A few dashes of Angostura Aromatic Bitters™
35 cl Fanta Orange
35 cl Sprite
½ an Orange
½ a lemon
Ice cubes
Optional Ingredient:
Ribena™ Blackcurrant


To garnish:
Fell free to add any citrus and other fruits of your choice: cucumber, strawberry, orange, lemon, lime,
even bananas.

I use the following:
½ an orange
½ a lemon
½ a cucumber

THE RIGHT WOMAN

BY JOYCE NELLY

The right woman will not start off nude
This one should be pretty obvious. If you meet her through friends and you’re texting pictures to each other, the right woman for you most likely won’t send you a picture of her in her undies. You most likely won’t get a boob shot or a something you can sneak a peek at when you need a jump start. You won’t meet through a phone app and when you ask for a picture it’s a nude one right from the start. She will want more than sex so she will not start the relationship with sex because she’s smart enough to know that sex is not everything.

Sex won’t happen for a while
Sex seems to be the biggest relationship issue today. You know someone for a few days and then you’re having sex. Well if you want the woman you’re trying to have something long term with, you can say goodbye to sex for at least a month or two because that one and only will not let just anyone have her body. Notice I said at least. It can be longer. Does that mean you can get sex from somewhere else? No! You cheat on her one time and she’s gone.

She won’t smother you
One of the signs you’re with the right woman is when you notice that you don’t have to ask her for space. She’s smart enough to know that she doesn’t have to spend every waking moment hanging onto your arm and telling you to talk to her. She’ll need her space too and she doesn’t mind giving it to you.

She’s a woman, not a girl
Maturity plays a very important role in whether or not you find the right person. When you’re 25 and you’re picking up a woman who is 18, you have a chance of getting a little girl. Sure, she’s legal but she’s most likely still in high school, playing high school games and only liking you so much because you’re older. You want something truly serious? Get a woman because a woman doesn’t play those games.

She won’t be on a cheap hookup website
When you have a website where you upload a picture, small bio, and your location, then you’re shown people near you, YOU’RE ON A CHEAP HOOKUP SITE! You don’t go to those kind of locations trying to find the love of your life. If you find her, good for you but I doubt it will really happen.

You won’t have everything in common
Classic opposites attract saying should be inserted here. It isn’t always true. It’s nice to have some things in common but there’s nothing wrong with having your own thing that only you like and she will understand that. She will not pry while you’re doing something you like. She’ll do something she likes while you’re doing that.

You won’t have to compare her
You’ll be so happy with her that you won’t feel the need to compare her to your ex. She is a person all her own and she never seems to do anything that your ex did. You’ll also not feel the need to weigh the pros and cons of staying with her or being with another girl.

She’s not drop dead gorgeous
I’m not saying that a supermodel cannot be THE girl but the problem with a lot of men is that they want all these things but they expect her to be supermodel hot as well. It’s possible but if she’s going to be so gorgeous then you need to be hot and sexy too. Don’t like that idea do you? So you find the girl who’s a little pudgy but you have that connection with her. Go for her. Looks don’t matter when you have the one.

Deep conversations
You can’t have a deep conversation with an airhead. You’ll have a Jillian from Family Guy situation. That right girl will always be suitable to talk to. Even if she doesn’t understand something, she will listen and help as best she can. She won’t begin daydreaming in the middle of your conversation because she can’t understand it. You will actually want to talk to this girl about your problems or you day. She will want to listen and she will want to help you.

She won’t give ultimatums
This woman cares about whether or not you’re happy in this relationship. She cares about the relationship and cares about where it stands. She will not dangle the sake of your relationship over your head to get what she wants. She will not say “Marry me, or I leave,” and she will not try to force you to do anything in such a manner. Anyone who would say something like that is not serious about your relationship. A person like that only cares about themselves and what they want.
Everyone has different tastes. The right woman might not meet all these criteria but that might tickle your fancy. Either way, I hope this helps you understand what you should look for if you are trying to find something serious.

THE WAY TO A MAN'S HEART

BY EBYSHANDY

THE WAY TO A MAN'S HEART IS NOT JUST THROUGH HIS STOMACH.......

‪#‎Food‬ is good.....
But shall a man live by bread alone???
Definitely NO!

First, is our character and submission to the word of God concerning our man.
Secondly, our body.... We mustn't deny them our body....
Thirdly, good food perfects it all....

Finally, involving third party which includes both families,friends and those u think that cares in ur marriage is wrong...
Especially when it concerns the man not been able to provide for the family, It hurts a man so much. Discussing his unfaithfulness with people and Comparing him with his friends..
That's why u see a lot of men have a good cook at home as a wife but prefer to eat outside b4 they come home... When u serve them ur delicacy,they see it as poison...

May God help us to run this race and never faint leaning on the word of God at all time,trusting in His holy words that never fails.... Cos,it's not easy but with God at the center of our marriage,ur union shall be a sweet one...

God bless u all.

OFE OWERRI

BY NGOZI MONG UDO KALU

Today I want us to know more about how to cook OFE OWERRI

Ofe Owerri is a popular soup amongst the Owerri people.

INGREDIENTS

Beef, Smoked fish (Asa), Stock fish, Ukazi leaves (shredded), Ugwu, Smoked prawns, Dried pepper, Onion, Cocoyam (red type) or Ofor, Palm oil, Maggi Crayfish (tablet), Water and Salt


METHOD

Wash the beef and season with onion, Maggi Crayfish and salt.
 Allow steaming till juice dries up.
Add water and the stock fish continue cooking till the stock fish is soft and the meat cooked.
Pick, wash and shred the Ugwu leaves as well as the Ukazi leaves.
Dress the smoked prawns, and the fish then wash both thoroughly.
Add the fish, and prawns to the meat pot and add the remaining water.
Peel and wash the cocoyams, cut each into two pieces then add to the pot continue cooking. Remove the cooked cocoyam and pound and add again to the pot as a thickener.
Add the remaining Maggi Crayfish, pepper and palm oil.
Stir thoroughly and reduce the heat.
Add the shredded Ugwu, and Ukazi leaves, stir and allow cooking for about 6 minutes.
Stir and add salt to taste.
Remove from heat and serve with pounded yam, wheat, garri or fufu.

TOP BUSINESS IDEAS

BY DORIS BENJAMIN UKA

Nigeria is a very fertile place for any business to thrive. If you believe you can, then you can. I will be posting some business ideas and urge us all to become entrepreneurs. You may not have all the money to start up but a keen mind can achieve anything.

Goodluck to us all.

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECTOR.

1. Livestock farming- catfish, snails, goat, chicken
2. Food restaurant/mobile delivery for offices.
3. Healthy food restaurant- fruits, fresh juices, smoothies
4. Cold room/frozen foods retail
5. Pap production and retail
6. Bakery- snacks, bread, cake
7. Small chops supplies/catering
8. Plantation farming- vegetables, corn, onions
9. Export of food crops/commodities- yam flour, cotton, rubber, shea butter, chilli pepper
10. Honey export and local retail.

To be continued. .............
Culled from mrsceonaija.

REASONS WHY MANY BUSINESSES FAIL

BY EBYSHANDY

* Poor business plans

* Lack of vision
* Lack of commitment
* Poor market assessment
*Wrong financial consideration
* Weak monitoring
* PRAYERLESSNESS

Great BUF Women of purpose(BUFWOP), please run ur life, ministry or business professionally. Plan ahead, and be committed to excellence. U must be diligent & hardworking. Be persistent and let God be your number one priority! God bless u all. One love!

Friday, February 27, 2015

HOW TO COOK NSALA SOUP

BY OBOBI NNENNE KALU

Nsala Soup is perfect for a cold rainy day due to its spicy taste. Because it is so easy to prepare, you can count on it to save the day when you run out on soup a few days before the big soup day.

Ingredients
Cat Fish: 4 one-inch thick pieces
Fresh or dry Utazi Leaves
Thickener: Raw White Yam / Yam Powder / Potato Puree
Salt (to taste)
Crayfish (a handful for 4 cuts of fish)
Seasoning – 1 stock cube (Maggi / Knorr) and Ogiri Okpei / Iru .Buy the part towards the tail because the pieces you'll get from there are smaller and do not have large holes in them.
 

When using yam powder as thickener, mix the powder with hot water first to make a thick smooth paste (as if you are making pounded yam) before adding it to the soup. Adding the powder directly into the soup will make the soup mushy and you may end up with lumps.
 

In the absence of habanero pepper, you can use dry chilli pepper.
 

Utazi leaves do not have any good alternative. If you
don't have it, no worries because it only adds a slightly
bitter flavour to the soup.
Before you cook Nsala Soup


1. Cut the catfish into 1 inch thick cylindrical discs and remove the intestines. Place in bowl and pour very hot water on the fish. This process of pouring hot water on the fish toughens the skin of the fish so that the pieces do not disintegrate while cooking the soup. Leave for about 2 minutes and wash the fish with cold water. You should also wash off any slimy substance on the outer skin of the fish at this time.


2. Boil a few cubes of raw white yam. When soft, pound with a mortar and pestle till a smooth paste is formed, then set aside. You can substitute white yam with yam powder or potato puree for the thickening.


3. Wash and pound/blend the utazi leaves, the chilli pepper and the crayfish and set aside. Utazi is bitter in taste and only used for flavouring so one or two leaves should be enough especially when using the fresh leaves.
 

Cooking Directions:
1. Place the catfish in a pot and pour enough water to cover the fish. Add the seasoning and cook till done. Feel free to add beef and dry fish to this soup recipe.


2. When the catfish is almost done, add the crayfish,pepper and utazi leaves blend. Also add the yam paste in small lumps and salt to taste.
Note: Catfish is what makes Nsala soup what it is, giving it the unique taste that it has so it is essential to this recipe. 


3. Cover the pot and allow the contents to cook at high heat till all the yam paste have dissolved. While cooking, if you think that the yam paste will make the soup too thick, you can remove some that are yet to dissolve.
 

The Nsala Soup is ready to be served with Eba (Garri), Semolina, Amala, Pounded Yam etc.

SUCCESS QUOTES

  •  Lets share these quotes:

    To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business,

    and your business in your heart. – Sr. Thomas Watson

    The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing
    something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but
    there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not
    tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a
    doer, not a dreamer. – Nolan Bushnell

    Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can
    achieve. Thoughts are things! And powerful things at that,
    when mixed with definiteness of purpose, and burning desire,
    can be translated into riches. – Napoleon Hill

    To succeed in business, to reach the top, an individual must
    know all it is possible to know about that business.– J. Paul Getty

    Success in business requires training and discipline and hard
    work. But if you’re not frightened by these things, the
    opportunities are just as great today as they ever were.
    – David Rockefeller

    If you work just for money, you’ll never make it, but if you
    love what you’re doing and you always put the customer first,
    success will be yours. – Ray Kroc

  • PASSION must be d watchword....one excels in any kind of business, when doing it with passion and not minding how much money one makes from it
     
    The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first found urself...

PERSONAL AND FAMILY BUDGETTING TIPS

BY DORIS BENJAMIN UKA

MONEY AND FAMILY
Money is a necessity in every family and yet it is so scarce. It never seems to be enough.
Wonderful women, how do you handle money both in your personal life and in your respective families?

For me I like being organized and my financial life is no exception. Permit me to share some useful tips on family/personal budgetting.

1. Know and define your income.
For salary earners, this is a little easier to predict as there is an expected salary pattern.

2. Investment: Always try as much as possible to set out a certain part of your income for investment purposes or for family projects.

3. Expenses: list out your expenses for the.month Always ask your self the question- ‘ Do i need this?‘ If you don’t, then it is a want. There are some basic needs of man: Food, shelter/rent, clothing (note not designer clothing o). Always ensure that your expenses does not exceed about 50%of your income.

4. Donations/help:. It is important to lend a helping hand occasionally. Define what percentage of your income is assigned to giving/donations/helping others. Remember blessed is the hand that giveth than the one that taketh.

5. Tithe: If you are a Christian always pay your tithe.

6. Savings. Never forget to always save for the rainy day.

7. If you have kids, start teaching them how to be frugal and how to save. One way to do this is to get piggy banks for them. Let them start collecting coins and putting it in their piggy banks. Also dash them money regularly and encourage them to spend to spend wisely.

HOME MADE TIPS FOR SOFT HANDS

BY OBOBI NNENNE KALU



CARING FOR YOUR ARMPITS


 BY EBYSHANDY.

Ugh. If the weather or the room is hot, or you've been exercising, or you feel nervous or excited, you might innocently raise your arm -- and be nearly knocked out by the odor from your armpits. And if you're grossed out, imagine how those poor people around you must be reacting.

Underarm odor can be embarrassing. What's more, it can cause problems in social and professional relationships .Severe body odor can be awkward, offensive and embarrassing. One of the primary smelly zones of the human body is the ARMPIT, which is typically treated with the application of different varieties of deodorant. For some unfortunate individuals, simple deodorant is not enough to quell the problem. Fortunately, there are several home remedies you can try to treat and potentially alleviate your underarm odor.

Get ash and lime...
Cut the lime and squeeze it into the ash,then stir until well mixed. 10minutes before u shower, rub the mixed ash and lime on ur armpit and scrub thoroughly. Do this Atleast 2weeks consecutively...... Ur body odour vanishes.

But u must maintain neatness at all time cos the worst thing that can happen to a woman is to have body odour.

As time goes on,we talk about other parts of the body. ALL THE BEST!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

HOW TO COOK UNRIPE PLAINTAIN PORRIDGE......


INGREDIENTS:

Unripe Plantain: 3 pieces Pumpkin Leaves: a big bunch (or Frozen Spinach: 10 cubes) Fish (Titus): 1 medium size Ground Crayfish: 1-2 teaspoons Onions: 2 medium sized bulbs, Red palm Oil: enough to colour the meal Pepper and Salt: to taste Seasoning: 2 big stock cubes

Before you cook Unripe Plantain Porridge

Wash, peel and cut up the plantain as shown. Wash and cut the pumpkin leaves into small pieces. If you will be using frozen spinach, allow to thaw just enough to let you cut them into tiny pieces. Leave to thaw completely and squeeze out the extra water using a sieve.
Wash, cut and remove the fish intestines. Cut up the onions into tiny pieces. Grind the crayfish and pepper. Now you are ready to cook the unripe plantain porridge.

Cooking Directions
1. Put the cut plantain in a pot. Add the chopped onions, stock cubes, fish, ground crayfish and pepper.
2. Add water to the same level as the contents of the pot.
3. Cook till the contents start to boil. Add the red palm oil and salt to taste. Cover the pot and keep cooking till done. This is when the plantain is tender to touch.
4. Add the vegetables, cover the pot and leave to simmer.
5. Once it has heated up, stir, turn off the heat and leave to stand for at least five minutes before serving.

Serve with chilled soft drink or fruit juice. This delicacy gives blood and is a healthy way of eating...
BUF women of purpose/substance good food is one of my greatest priority. Try this and let me know how u feel about it. Also d married ones should serve their husbands this delicacy...

 God bless u ALL

WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG, REMEMBER........

By OBOBI NNENNE KALU

8 Things to Remember When Everything Goes Wrong.

Whether you are trapped in a difficult situation that seems impossible to get through or having it rosy all the way…you need this piece. It will either help you today, or someday you never know as we step into the new year. No matter how good or bad you have it; you must wake up each day thankful for your life, because someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.

Truth be told, happiness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them. Imagine all the wondrous things your mind might embrace if it weren’t wrapped so tightly around your struggles. Always look at what you have, instead of what you have lost. Because it’s not what the world takes away from you that counts; it’s what you do with what you have left.

Here are a few reminders to help motivate you when you need it most:

1. Pain is part of growing.

Sometimes life closes doors because it’s time to move forward. When times are tough, remind yourself that no pain comes without a purpose. Move on from what hurt you, but never forget what it taught you. Just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. Every great success requires some type of worthy struggle to get there. Everything is going to come together; maybe not
immediately, but eventually.

2. Everything in life is temporary.

Every time it rains, it stops raining. Every time you get hurt, you heal. After darkness there is always light – you are reminded of this every morning, but still you often forget, and instead choose to believe that the night will last forever. It won’t. Nothing lasts forever. So if things are good right now, enjoy it. It won’t last forever. If things are bad, don’t worry because it won’t last forever either. Just because life isn’t easy at the moment, doesn’t mean you can’t laugh. Every moment gives you a new beginning and a new ending. You get a second chance, every second. You just have to take it
and make the best of it.

3. Worrying and complaining changes nothing.

Those who complain the most, accomplish the least. It’s always better to attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed. It’s not over if you’ve lost; it’s over when you do nothing but complain about it. If you believe in something, keep trying. Don’t
let the shadows of the past darken the doorstep of your future. Spending today complaining about yesterday won’t make tomorrow any brighter. Take action instead. Let what you’ve learned improve how you live. Make a change and never look back.

4. Your scars are symbols of your strength.

Don’t ever be ashamed of the scars life has left you with. A scar means the hurt is over and the wound is closed. It means you conquered the pain, learned a lesson, grew stronger, and moved forward. A scar is the tattoo of a triumph to be proud of. Don’t allow them to make you live your life in fear. You can’t make the scars in your life disappear, but you can change the way you see them.
You can start seeing your scars as a sign of strength and not pain. The most powerful characters in this great world are seared with scars. See your scars as a sign of “YES! I MADE IT! I survived and I have my scars to prove it! And now I have a chance to grow even stronger.”

5. Every little struggle is a step forward.

In life, patience is not about waiting; it’s the ability to keep a good attitude while working hard on your dreams, knowing that the work is worth it. So if you’re going to try, put in the time and go all the way. Otherwise, there’s no point in starting. This could mean not eating what, or sleeping where, you’re used to, for weeks on end. It could mean sacrificing relationships and all that’s familiar. It
could mean accepting ridicule from your peers. So if you’re going to try, go all the way.

6. Other people’s negativity is not your problem.

Be positive when negativity surrounds you. Smile when others try to bring you down. It’s an easy way to maintain your enthusiasm and focus. When other people treat you poorly, keep being you. Don’t ever let someone else’s bitterness change the person you are. Above all, don’t ever change just to impress someone who says you’re not good enough. Change because it makes you a better person and leads you to a brighter future. People are going to talk regardless of what you do or how well you do it. If you believe strongly in something, don’t be afraid to fight for it. Great strength
comes from overcoming what others think is impossible.

7. There are some things you CANT change.

True strength comes when you have so much to cry and complain about, but you prefer to smile and appreciate your life instead. There are blessings hidden in every struggle you face, but you have to be willing to open your heart and mind to see them. You can’t force things to happen. You can only drive yourself crazy trying. At some point you have to let go and let what’s meant to be, BE. You have to stop worrying, wondering, and doubting every step of the way. Laugh at the confusion, live consciously in the moment, and enjoy your life as it unfolds.

8. The best thing you can do is to keep going.

Don’t be afraid to get back up – to try again, to love again, to live again, and to dream again. Don’t let a hard lesson harden your heart. Life’s best lessons are often learned at the worst times and from the worst mistakes. There will be times when it seems like everything that could possibly go wrong is going wrong. And you might feel like you will be stuck in this rut forever, but you won’t. When you feel like quitting, remember that sometimes things have to go very wrong before they can be right. Sometimes you have to go through the worst, to arrive at your best.

Yes, life is tough, but you are tougher. Find the strength to laugh every day. Find the courage to feel different, yet beautiful. Find it in your heart to make others smile too. Don’t stress over things you can’t change. Live simply. Love generously. Speak truthfully. Work diligently. And even if you fall short, keep going. Keep growing

SKILLS ACQUISTION AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

INTRODUCING THE SKILLS ACQUISITION AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good day all,

Stemming from the fact that some of our members here are unemployed and in line with the MEZIA NWANNEGI IFE vision of our able chairman, we are introducing a skills acquisition and empowerment programme.

The main objective of this scheme is to empower as many of us as possible and to raise entrepreneurs who in turn will be blessings to others.

The modus operandi of this scheme is being mapped out. However, as we are aware of the huge financial commitment of such venture, we are going to focus on one person at a time. For a start, we will pick one person from the list of unemployed, but subsequently the criteria for selection will be agreed upon.

Based on this, every member should note the following;

1. Selection will be based on a member's participation in all BUF activities and must be registered with a branch.

2. Every prospective beneficiary must have a detailed feasible plan. Go through the posts yesterday by Ucha Nene Ume and Ebyshandy Bjl Ukwa and decide on what skill you want to acquire. Your plan should also include the financial involvements and the expected returns of that venture. If you do not have a working plan and you are selected, you will be walked over.

3. Stringent measures will be put in place to ensure seriousness from beneficiaries. We will not accept a situation whereby after training you, you still sit and not put what you have acquired to use.
All members should therefore gear up for the next level in BUF. Detailed workings of this scheme will be published soon.

Thank you and God bless.

BE YOUR OWN BOSS

By Ucha Nene Ume

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR WOMEN TO LEARN A TRADE LIKE FASHION DESIGNING, HAIR DRESSING, CATERING, CAKE MAKING, BEAD MAKING, SOAP MAKING ETC.

DON'T LOOK DOWN ON ANY WORK. THAT MIGHT TURN OUT TO BE YOUR MEAL TICKET. I DID THAT TOO. I WENT FOR CATERING CLASS DURING THE LONG VACATION LAST YEAR. THANK GOD I DID. I WAS SURPRISED AT THE WOMEN I SAW. TRY IT BECAUSE NO KNOWLEDGE IS WASTED.

OPENING A SMALL BUSINESS

By Ebyshandy

Whatever idea or type of business you choose, my first suggestion is not to go after a business that you think is a "popular" or one of the "hottest new business ideas" out there, that will be making money for others, and will therefore make money for you too. That could be your first, and last, mistake!

Here are a few suggestions that may help you decide which small business idea is right for you:

Your idea should stem from some activity in your life that you already really enjoy doing. You should be so excited about doing it that each morning when you get up it's like "Oh boy, let go there...
You should know at least a lot about your subject and be willing to learn more and more until you become an expert at it. Of course, the more working knowledge you have about your topic, the more confident you will be about it, the richer will be it's content, and the more successful you will be at building it.

And lastly, your choice of small business start up has to meet some kind of need for others, if it does not, nobody will buy it! So research it. Make sure that your business idea will meet people's needs or that it's something that people really want, and preferably, something where the desire for it won't putter-out.

Wonderful women of purpose and substance, hope this small business tip will go along way to help someone trying to put up a small business which will grow into a big company if GOD ALMIGHTY is invited. Also, be faithful at it... Do it as if it's the last thing you'll do on earth.

God bless u all........

Friday, February 13, 2015

BANANA FACE MASK FOR OILY SKIN

BY OBOBI NNENNE KALU.

This soothing face mask works best on oily skin.

Take 1 fully ripe banana, 1 tablespoon honey and an orange or a lemon.
You can keep ripe bananas in a freezer that you can use later. But thaw it before using.
Mash up the banana and add in the honey. Alternatively, you can blend them in a blender.
Mix in a few drops of juice from an orange or a lemon.
Apply the mask on your face and leave it for about 15 minutes before rinsing with a cool absorbent soft washcloth or a steaming warm washcloth – as per your choice.

Yipeeeee and you are good to go!

HEALTH BENEFITS OF OKRA

BY EBYSHANDY............


FLAT TUMMY RECIPE

Hope this helps someone..................


UDARA

BY OBOBI NNENNE KALU

HERE'S WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT AFRICAN STAR APPLE.

Did you know its proper English name is African Star Apple? It is also called White Star Apple.
Local Name: Agbalumo (Yoruba language) or Udara (Igbo language)
Botanical Name: Chrysophyllum albidum.

The Chrysophyllum genus of plants consists of almost 80 different species of fruits all exclusively grown within the tropical region. African star apple (Udara) is a very popular fruit here in Nigeria. Its fleshy pulp is often eaten as a snack and it is equally common in both the urban and rural areas, particularly around Southern Nigeria. Being a seasonal fruit (produces during the dry season between December and April), it is currently in peak abundance flooding the market places and street walkways at about this time of the year. 

Now, allow me introduce you to some really good news about the nutritious load of Udara/Agbalumo goodness!

HEALTH BENEFITS OF UDARA/AGBALUMO (African Star Apple)- 

As with most fruits, it has low calorie because of its little fat content so it is definitely a healthy food.- It is a superb snack because its high fibre content provides food bulk which both increases satiety and aids digestion so it is very ideal for weight watchers.- It has a surprisingly decent amount of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). Clearly, Vitamin C sources are not exclusive to the citrus fruits family- in fact, Guava has much more!- Recently published researches done here in Nigeria about Udara/Agbalumo leaves carried out on rats showed two possible medicinal uses:- It could serve as a natural source of Anti-Oxidant booster to remove free radicals from oxidative stress disorders, and- Its leaf extract contains Hypoglycemic (to treat Diabetes) and Anti-Platelet activities, although it also had toxic effects on some organs.

NUGGET FOR THE DAY....

"A successful man or woman is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him or her"..........Ebyshandy

 Please permit me to share something that just came into my mind during my early morning meditation.

During the inspirational segment yesterday, I read so many interesting, inspiring and soul provoking tips from you wonderful ladies. Thanks. But this morning, the above tip above kept nagging at me. In life, God has purposed each of us for something. So many people have refused to be who or what God has ordained for them simply because of what other humans have acted or said. People will envy you, people will do a lot of things just to bring you down, people are only happy when they see you are not progressing. But my message to you is to develop a tough skin and remain focused on your goal. 

Let us take a cue from Christ. Even while dying, he still prayed for and forgave those who killed him. Whenever you are faced with a situation where people are mocking you or doing all sorts of things to hinder you from shining, just dust your back and keep moving on. In such instances , remember the quote above. People will gossip about you, they will castigate you, they will blackmail you, they will spread false rumours about you but remember, if you are not great, you will not be the attention of these category of people.

Secondly, while building your foundation with the bricks these people throw at you, remember to be forgiving and keep praying for them. Pray that they too will focus on their God given talents and ordained destinies.

So I charge us all to continue shining. Remain steadfast in your purpose as long as you are doing something right. Keep being in tune with God for strength and grace.

Thank you.

FRUITS AS A JUICE.

BY NGOZI MONG UDO KALU

PREAMBLE:

Health is wealth and a healthy man is a wealthy man. Healthy Living is important for maintaining good health. It entails eating right, healthy exercise, good sanitation, adequate rest and sleep. Eating right includes eating balanced diet at the appropriate time. Balanced diet includes food, fruits and vegetables. Fruits contain vitamins needed for growth, repairs of tissue and maintenance of the body. Fruits can be eaten like that or extracted as juice. 

Today, I will take you through the process of making a delicious and healthy fruit juice. . 

INGREDIENTS 
 Water Melon, Apple, Pawpaw, Grape, Orange, Pine apple. 

PREPARATION 
Wash all the fruits you want to use with salted water, after that, rinse with clean water. You wash them with salt water to kill all the germs and worms that might be on the body of the fruit. Peel the pawpaw and remove the black seed inside, you can also peel the orange, water melon and grapefruit before using them but you do not need to peel the apple. Dice the fruits and pour all into your miller machine and blend. Pour the juice in a container and serve chilled. Do this for one week and give me a feedback.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

AFANG SOUP RECIPE BY OBOBI NNENNE KALU.

This recipe was sent in by our very own OBOBI NNENNE KALU.

It is the Afang soup, from Calabar in Akwa Ibom region. According to her, she says this soup can make one forget his/her surname. Isn't that interesting. Okay let's go........

INGREDIENTS:

Meat (Beef and Kanda)
Onions
Stockcubes
Dried fish
Palm oil
Crayfish
Pepper
Okazi
Periwrinkle
Water leaf
Salt to taste

PREPARATION:

Boil the beef and Kanda with the diced onions and stockcubes in a very small quantity of water. When done,add the dry fish and cook for about 5 more minutes.

Now add the palm oil, crayfish and pepper. Once it starts boiling, add the afang (okazi) leaves (grounded okazi leaves), water leaves and periwinkle. When the okazi leaves have softened and the water has dried up a bit, add salt to taste and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes. 

The Afang soup is ready!. Serve with Garri (Eba), Semolina, etc

Thank you Nnenne.

OPERATION MEZIA NWANNEGI IFE


14th February is a day set aside to celebrate love.

In the spirit of the vision of this noble foundation and by popular consensus, we are undertaking a project termed ''OPERATION MEZIA NWANNEGI IFE'" on that day.

All you have to do is carry out a good deed to a stranger and thereafter share with us what you did. Let us put a smile on someone's face that day by showing acts of love and sowing seeds of kindness in someone's life. Please it must not be in financial terms. It could be a prayer for someone, a visit to a sick person, saying positive and uplifting words like I love you or God bless you, giving a meal to someone, or clothings to someone. It could even be mending a broken relationship. This should be done physically o not online. ‪#‎nofacebooklove‬. Thereafter, comment below telling us what you did.

Blessed is the hand that giveth than the one that taketh!!!!!

May our good deeds continually speak for us at all times.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK.............


In Elu, and of course, to a reasonable extent across the entire Ohafia, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA, is a known name. A Royal Prince of Ohafia, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA hails from Ndi Imaga Compound, Elu Ohafia.

An academic intellect, administrative and business specialist, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA is a young man who has carved a niche and distinguished himself academically and otherwise, has stood outstandingly in his endeavours, and has contributed immensely to christianity, humanity and has extended unconditional love to Ohafians at several times.

Without mincing words, permit me to describe this young handsome gentleman as the “youngest philanthropist” of our time whose love and care for mankind, especially to Ohafia and Ohafians, is unexplainable.


A descendant of late Chief Agbai Uka Agbai and the 4th child of that family, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA has served in various capacities with various heavyweights of our country. He was the personal assistant to the Managing Director of TSI, late Bucknor A.A. Onuoha as his first official outing. He maintained that position onto Global Inspections and was in charge of the endorsement of various pre-shipment activities for various export companies, among which was Slok Nigeria Limited wherein he gained invaluable personal relationship with our own Orji Uzo Kalu, former Abia State Governor.In his diversity, he proceeded to Abuja from Lagos and had the privilege of serving as the Special Assistant to the then Minister of State for Defence, who is presently the Nigeria Minister of Works. Having displayed his professional skills and efficiency, he was designated as the Administrative Manager of Gomic Consortium Limited and Arki-Waves respectively and which two companies are owned by the present Minister of Works. OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA made his mark there and upon recommendation of the present Minister, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA was appointed the Company Secretary of Tech-Pro Construction Limited which was floated by three Ministers and two International private businessmen. Having seen his prowess, the then Minister of State for Communication under late Prof. Dora Akunyinli in the person of Alhaji Ikra Aliyu Bilbis sought for his services as his personal secretary.
He finished his services, and upon another recommendation from the personal secretary to Chief Tony Anenih, the then Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA became the Head of Operations and Administration, Lilly’s Concept which is owned by the former Minister of Works from Kaduna State during the Obasanjo regime in the person of late Alhaji Madaki Ali.While OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA was there, he got an official request from a Chief Executive he once served requesting his services for the second time and asking him to state his terms. OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA resigned from Lilly’s Concept and became the Head, Operations and Administration, BROOKMOORE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, a leading Estate Developer in Abuja. Ohafians can testify to the philanthropic activities of this young gentleman as well as his undying love for mankind. He awarded several building contracts ranging into millions of naira to several Ohafians. OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA can die for Ohafia. He served in that position with his might and in evidence of advancement, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA floated his own company known as KEMANDAS NIGERIA LIMITED. A young man with a very sweet human relationship, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA is in dire love with anything OHAFIA.

In extension of his tentacles, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA emerged at the International scene as he left the shores of Nigeria and headed to the United States of America where he has lived for years now and plies on the International Business Route across the globe.
From America, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA launched a campaign of unity and love amongst Ohafia as he floated and championed a cause, through the OHAFIA UDUMEZE ON FACEBOOK, a campaign titled “Yere ibegi aka, mezia nwanigi ife, onye ahala nwanneya” which greatly triggered our Ohafians all over the globe and all efforts geared towards unity, love and embracement. Below are some of the most recent activities he has carried out through the OHAFIA UDUMEZE ON FACEBOOK and the BENJAMIN UKA FOUNDATION respectively;

  • He championed a skill and acquisition programme wherein he singlehandedly paid for various Ohafians that are learning various skills for self-advancement.
    He extended to Ohafia nursing mothers by distributing cans of Enfamil milk all the way from the USA to Nigeria for their babies. Provided employment to several Ohafians through his contacts.
  • Has given uncountable financial assistance to our people uncountable times in conformity with his “yere ibegi aka, mezia nwanigi ife, onye ahala nwanneya” campaign. Most beneficiaries of these monies/other tidings has never seen him in person before, yet he responds to their yearnings just through Facebook meeting. 
  • OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN UKA has reached out to primary schools with Academic Materials across the entire 26 villages of Ohafia.
  • In a bid to foster love, unity, peace & progress amongst our people, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA set forth a SOCCER FOOTBALL COMPETITION with financial rewards attached to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd positions as well as the Trophy.
Presently, in lieu of the 2015 BUF project, OCHIAGHA BENJAMIN AGBAI UKA has sort to pay for the COMMON ENTRANCE & FIRST SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION of 26 Ohafia students, one person each from each village, across the 26 villages of Ohafia, & so many more.

Married to DORIS BENJAMIN UKA, a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Banker, and blessed with two kids – KENNIS and AMANDA, the names which gave rise to his company name KEMANDAS.

What more can we say about this young handsome gentleman, at his age and have recorded such tremendous & magnificent achievement for which the Elu Ohafia Community in 2010 considered him fit and deemed it necessary to honour his invaluable inputs to our people, our land, christianity & humanity wherein they conferred on him the chieftaincy title of "THE OCHIAGHA OF ELU OHAFIA".

Ladies and gentlemen, please may I crave your final & last indulgence to describe this every year young handsome gentleman as the..................... "JOHN THE BAPTIST OF OUR TIME".

Thursday, February 5, 2015

BUF Woman of the month..............


We are starting things off with a BUF Woman of the month.........

Every month, a member will be nominated to fill this position. It is just an avenue for us to know each other better. The picture of the BUF Woman of the month shall be posted and members are free to inundate her with any question.

DO NOTE THAT SILLY OR TOUCHY QUESTIONS SHALL NOT BE TOLERATED.

On her part, the BUF Woman of the month shall respond to all questions truthfully and undertake what I term a GOOD DEED PROJECT. This means the person is expected to do a good deed to somebody in that month and tell the house about it.
THIS GOOD DEED NEED NOT BE IN MONETARY TERMS.

For this month, our BUF Woman of the month is...........................

WELCOME.............

Welcome to the women's forum of the BUF. A place where we encourage, empower, motivate and challenge each other to be the best. A place where our powers as women are fully utilized to achieve the reason for which this great foundation was birthed.

This group shall be known as the BUF Women of Purpose. This is not an independent group but just an arm of the BENJAMIN UKA FOUNDATION; and as such bound by the rules and tenets of the parent body. We are also answerable to the Chairman, the International president and the executive members of the parent body.

This group promises to be very interesting, enlightening, educative and fun. Above all, this group is committed to inculcate and imbibe the core curriculum of the MEZIA NWANNEGI IFE Concept.


                           ******STRICTLY FOR FEMALE MEMBERS.*******