The first time I heard of Erini was when I was asked to interview her for an article in the newspaper I used to work for. The reason for said interview was Erini’s popular workshops on raw food and how to advocate more raw ingredients and healthy meals into a hectic lifestyle. Although I have to admit I have only mastered one or two of her recipes-that’s only down to lack of motivation- I didn’t hesitate for a minute to grab a copy when I saw she had written a book with 100 recipes. All with no cooking involved. Soar on Raw combines mythology and mother nature in an inspirational and educational way and also boasts the most beautiful, colourful pictures. My favourite part is a shopping list she has included to get you started-because any person who prepares meals on a regular base knows how important it is to keep a well-stocked pantry and fridge. Oh and of course this book has spoken to the mother in me by including kids in the mix with recipes you can prepare for a child’s birthday party. I can’t wait to start feeding my family more raw goodies and getting this damn flu out of my system.
books
There’s one place in Larnaca I love visiting. The thrift shop. Sad fact about Cyprus: We don’t have many. Don’t get me wrong, they exist! But not to the degree they exist in other European countries. This one is owned by an English lady who has turned this joint into a very popular spot with the locals. Granted, not many treasures are here to discover – isn’t that the case with most thrift shops anyway?-but I have gotten lucky. Besides, nothing beats buying five books for 4 euros and 60 cents! I can’t imagine handing over pennies in most bookshops. There’s a quiet corner in the thrift shop where shelves are tightly-stacked with books of every genre. Georgie enjoys reading time so he loves rummaging through them and flicking through the pages looking for tigers and dinosaurs. I love seeing the names of the old holders and little notes. There’s a sense of greatness being able to show my child that not everything beautiful and inspirational has to be brand new…and come with a hefty price tag.
Since commencing a never-ending love affair with books on parenting, which began shortly after Georgie refused to sleep or stop crying for hours on end, I have become a fan of the Montessori method. I find it’s preschool activities truly helpful and it’s overall simple approach to everyday life with a child an astounding revelation. Every single activity I have tried with Georgie has been a huge success. Sure, some he finds less interesting, but they all seem to stimulate something in him and I like that. Good control of movement and coordination comes from just handing him a jug of water and a bowl. Sorting coloured buttons and underwear, matching socks and helping around the house are also activities we love to do together, especially in the morning when he’s chirpy and well-rested. And I can’t help but enjoy myself so much. I mean, I get help with the laundry, people! By my two-year old! Just hoping to raise a good man.
I sometimes think about the kind of person Georgie will grow up to be. I think about the kind of things he will like to do and if he will be exceptionally good at one thing, talented, successful and focused. I catch myself thinking about these things when he’s talking to me, looking deep into my eyes, willing me to understand what ‘blath’ means. And then I stop. I snap out of it and curse the moment I read the Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. It is, I will dare say, a disturbing yet highly thought-provoking book on parenting. To be more specific, Chinese parenting. Amy Chua, mother of two, tries to apply this strict and anti-Western parenting method while living in the United States with her American husband. She doesn’t believe in sleepovers, school plays, playdates, television and video games and not being the number one student in every subject except gym and drama. Any grade less than A is not acceptable. To establish this, her children are subjected to piano rehearsals while on holiday; their mother tears up two handmade birthday cards disappointed with the lack of effort that has gone into them. Chua explains how different Western parenting is to Chinese with all honesty and rawness. Western parents care about their child’s psyche. Chinese parents do not. They believe their children can be the best, so why settle for mediocrity just because there’s a sleepover involved? They want medals and recognition, they expect obedience and to be made proud. Heartless as Chua’s actions seemed to me I had to take my hat off to her by the end of the book. She has produced two highly successful young women, one of whom has played at Carnegie Hall while the other was accepted (I think) to Julliard. But there’s more to the story than just accomplishment. She devoted endless hours to their cause, rehearsing with them , driving them to classes five hours away and leaving them notes on how to become the best. You just can’t say she didn’t care. Beautifully written letters and essays by her daughters express nothing but love and adoration for their mother, who finally partly surrendered to Western parenting by allowing her youngest, the rebel, to give up the violin and play tennis. They are grateful their mother pushed them to be the best. They apply the thirst they have gained through those tyrannical years to everything they do.
OK, so it didn’t literally blow the market away but it was heartbreaking…watching that big black cloud covering a month’s worth of preparation and a day’s worth of fun. We had hardly finished grooming our stall when the first clouds appeared. I decided to leave my bruised baby with his grandparents and ignore my lack of sleep after our stay at the hospital and this is what happens?? To be honest I don’t regret it. I love the rain. And i got to see my friends and take some cool shots. C’est la vie!