Editorial

MY #FRENCHFUSION ADVENTURES: Arrival Bordeaux 1

Sunday 21^st Sept 2014,

I woke up 4am this morning in Bremen, Germany. Have to catch an early flight to Paris CDG enroute Bordeaux for my #frenchfusion quest. I have been planning this like forever. It’s going to be my second time in France but my first time was for the MIPCOM TV content market in Cannes, so I didn’t experience the French food and lifestyle I had always longed for, Thanks to all my French teachers and my Dad who kept saying the French eat the best. I was so longing to have my own personal French food adventures and my Destination is Bordeaux.

Known for their fine wine and vineyards, I already planned to meet up with a couple of People that will make this adventure very memorable. I had a long list of cool People with me, thanks to my dear friend Monsieur Pierre Cherruau of the French Consulate in Lagos. First on my list is Madam Marie-Christine Cherruau, she is going to be my host and I was so excited because for every time I have traveled out of Nigeria, I always stay  in hotels, I book hotels with kitchenettes so I can cook my own food. Yeah… except for the time I visited Ghana, My darling Maame-Vida got me out of that hotel room and gave me a real Ghanian treat in the comfort of her Home (Thanks Vida, I hope I reciprocated well when you visited Naija?... But you married now, I guess we won’t be able to have the girly girly thingy again) anyway that is by the way.

Arrived the Bremen airport, early enough for my check in, thanks to my Friend Ejime who had hired this sleek Mercedes Benz convertible that left me wishing all through my stay in Germany. The way the buttons control the car features and having it perform those “robot” stunts, I just wanted to bring it back to Nigeria but then I remembered all the pot holes on my roads in Lagos,  after driving into all those gallops and pot-holes am damn sure by the time I press those buttons on the convertible, they most definitely won’t respond, the sensors would have forgotten all its prompts and even when it remembers, the bolts and nuts would have lost all their alignments and there goes our convertible…

Checked in, boarded and of course the way the German security goes about their duties, I doubt a terrorist would ever slip pass them (the whole airport search thing can be tiring but truly, I don’t blame them because the terrorists are stopping at nothing these days too and they do not write you a memo).

Icht……,!!@@#??????? ……. And I replied, Pardon me, I don’t speak Dutch. Ooh ok, she said, in her fair English. Then she asked, any liquid, sharp objects, electronic gadget in bag. I answered No, but in the affirmative for Electronic gadget. I brought out my note-pad, passed the metal detector, and then it was time for hot romance with the female security officer. She virtually touched everywhere; she could almost give me an orgasm if I allowed it. She took me to a sit, (Nooooo, not to continue the romance o, clean your dirty minds). Take off your Boots madam, she said, I took them off and she took it for scanning, in a few minute, she brought them back and I began to struggle with the lace (I am not a boot person but I actually start catching cold from my feet) got my stuff from the scanning area and walked down to the gate area and took a sit as I await boarding.

To be Continued....

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOODAHOLICS!!!

Like we all know, it was a fantastic 2014 for Foodies and Spice and I trust it was for all of us. It is the New Year, thanks to the Almighty God for bringing us to the New year and blessing us with the gift of life. Just like the street saying down south in Nigeria where I grew up “when there is Life, There is hope”… yeah, That Benin maestro “Osayomore” has a song like that too.

Yes, WHEN THERE IS LIFE, THERE IS HOPE. If there are any carry over wishes from 2014, Dear Foodaholics, this is 2015, let us work towards making our wish come true, backing it up with lots of Faith. Because what you don’t believe, you can hardly see. What you don’t envision, you can’t get.

We all have one life to live, let’s make it count. Feel free to dream big dreams(it’s your mind anyway, so think all the best thoughts, thoughts greater than what your mind can carry) who knows, this could just be that year, However, its starts with envisioning it and believing it and working towards it.

Honestly, no one gains great success by just doing it “the way it should be done”. You have to put in that EXTRA, EXTRA HOURS, EXTRA CREATIVITY, EXTRA WHAT IT TAKES “depending on what you are working towards.

So I wish you an EXTRA-ordinary year, all your wishes will come true by the grace of the Almighty God, we shall not die, we shall live and live beautifully well, we shall prosper on every side and most of all we shall be very HAPPY!

Click to watch a clip of our 2014 Highlights as I get ready for Foodies and Spice 2015…. I envision a super-fantastic year, I am going to smartly work towards it and I believe it’s going to be “off da hook” super, duper, SUCCESSFUL with God helping me.

Love you all so much as I continually count on your support to keep moving this “belle-full Ministry forward”. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!

YOURS GEENALY,

GEENA

Dearest Foodaholicsss

I woke up today feeling extra GRATEFUL, probably because the year is coming to an end and I have been counting my blessings regularly for some days now. I hope you are doing the same because there is so much to be thankful for. It wasn’t all rosy-rosy this year, BUT we got more than we lost, we have life, we had dreams, most came true, we laughed, we have joy and we are happy and yes, we won our first award.

Now in the spirit of the season and in sharing this happiness, I implore you to do something nice for someone this season; no good deed is too small. Last year, we were at the Boys Reform Home in Abeokuta Ogun state to celebrate the Christmas season with them. This year while we are still contemplating which Old People’s Home to visit (yes! this year we chose to celebrate with old people), I implore all my foodaholics to please do something nice for our Elder citizens this Season.

You need not give them money, but something nice as small as helping them around their houses, helping them cross the road, cooking for them, buying them something really nice. You can start by doing these lovely things and more with your Parents if you still have them and if you don’t, every elderly citizen is our parent.

So while I get prepared for my visit to the Old People’s Home in a few days, I also would want to say a big thank you to all my foodaholics for their tremendous support this year and if you will like to come along with me, I will be posting date, time and venue for the visit to the Home soon, so we can all meet there and celebrate the season with them (there will be rice lol). Please I will like you to bring something, no matter how little for at least one Old person in the Home, Could be toiletries, Clothes, Provisions etc.

Also, Foodies and Spice will be doing a Christmas give away from today to next week Friday excluding Saturday and Sunday on its website. This is how it works, we will put up our usual posts with trivia questions which you can find answers to on the website. On the posts we will randomly select a winner from the comments daily (excluding Saturday and Sunday) to win recharge cards to any network of their choices (please comment with your names or email addresses)

However, I understand I have visitors on the website from outside the country; I really appreciate you all and will love to give you the chance to partake of this my small give away but I can’t send recharge card to Germany for example (LOL). Anyway, I decided to make this small XMAS post card for everyone and truly, I love you all and wish you lots of HAPPINESS. You have all made me happy, even in my down times I just think of you all and glow. Thank you so much as I wish you a very merry Christmas season filled with true happiness and Joy.

Yours Geenaly

Geena

I have been trying to write this my "Thank you" speech all weekend but still can’t come up with just how I feel. This feeling is overwhelming but I can start by saying THANK YOU. Thank you Foodaholics for helping us win this; you can’t imagine where our votes came from. From all of you Foodaholics all over the world, Nigeria to South Africa, United States of America to China and all over Europe. I am very grateful; I lack words to express how grateful I am.

Four Months ago when the Nominations of the 5^th NIGERIAN BROADCASTERS MERIT AWARDS was released, I was elated to Find Foodies and Spice in a Category being just barely a year old. Everyone said hard work gained you the recognition, and I said No, Grace found me.

My Grandma use to pray this prayer for me, “when I call one, a multitude will answer” I saw it come true. It was time for the votes and since it was in a Viewer’s Choice Category, I needed all the Votes to remain on the list and eventually win that Category. I called on all of you, you all answered me, you called your family, friends and Associates and you all went to work, you VOTED, You VOTED amidst all your personal schedules, you clicked and got others to click, and yes we won because you all got my back.

Some of you reached out to complain of the rigorous voting process and I asked for your prayers and good wishes instead and you all did wish us well. Thank you, Thank you, I can’t call all my Foodaholics by name, but I sincerely appreciate you all. Special Thanks goes to God Almighty for the gift of life and for showing me mercy to see dreams and wishes come true.

I wouldn’t fail to thank my Chief Campaign Manager, My Mum, who got everyone she meets to vote, you had to open an email or twitter account if you didn’t have one as soon as she meets you. Thanks to all my mentees at the Otega School Ibafo Ogun state, Students of Yaba College of Technology Lagos, Redeemers University Ede, UNILAG,  LAWSA (Alumnus), MAMOC (ALUMNUS), Nigerian Law School Kano (campaign headed by Gabrielle), Youth Alive (Winners Chapel),  Celebs and Hotties, my Friends, Associates, Neighbors, Agborians, Family and Friends all over the world, All my contacts on Whats App, Facebook, Twitter (Team coterie), Instagram, Blackberry Messenger (I kept bugging with broadcasts) and every single person who visits and clicked on the voting link via www.foodiesandspice.com. And to the management and Team wapTV, I say a big Thank you and well-done.

I truly do wish I could call each and every one of you by name, I appreciate you. However, I still need you o, its one thing to win and another to remain a WINNER, I need you like the word NEED, we have to get better, we have to get stronger, we have to keep supporting this brand Foodies and Spice and we have to be champions. I truly count on your support to achieve all of this.

In the words of my Grandma, just like I have called you and you answered me in multitudes, may you call one and a multitude will answer you in your time of needs.

On a lighter side…. Am thinking, are any of the political parties still selling forms for Presidency? We could just pick a form o with all you gingered people behind me…. LOL, anyway, Step by Step. Meanwhile, those of us in Nigeria, please remember to go pick up your permanent Voters card and vote WISELY come 2015, it’s important we VOTE WISELY.

Still basking in the excitement of this award, It’s yours Geenaly:

Geena

Pictures from the Golden Penny #WORLDPASTADAY celebration, where yours truly JUDGED these Pasta dishes, and Miss Phaitezzy won herself a Standing Gas Cooker

A DAY OUT AT TWILIGHT CHINESE CUISINE

You can imagine the surprise getting a Blackberry add request from a childhood friend you haven’t seen for over Fifteen years, I was happy, as late as it was, I wanted to chat and Play catch up that midnight but sleep had a better part of me.

Enters Morning and I resumed chat, what joy to find out that my dear Childhood friend, Neighbor, classmate and playmate is also in the Food industry. Tosin (Olorunyomi) Olaleru has quit her banking job to pursue her passion in food. (Did I see that in her while we were kids.mmmmmmm, maybe!... she sure may have been part of our kokonlo and kpangolo backyard cooking then on Imudia street, littering the whole place with our empty containers with leaves and flowers serving as our ingredients.)

Anyway, that is not the kind of cooking Tosin Olaleru is into right now, Tosin is the CEO of Twilight Chinese Cuisine situated at 166 Akowonjo Road, Beside Keystone Bank Egbeda. Of course, immediately she said Chinese, my tummy rejoiced and the next Saturday, I was feeding myself  at Twilight Chinese Cuisine as we played catch up (yeahhhhh I didn’t pay, dividends of friendship lol)

Ok Foodaholicss, you can try out the fantastic menu at Twilight Chinese Cuisine as soon as possible, you will not be disappointed, also like their facebook page https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=595990863841829&ref=bookmark for updates on all their activites.

Click to view more pretty pics from twilight.

Dearest Foodaholics,

It’s with great pleasure that I write today, having been away from the blog for some time (thanks Collins for posting my videos)

Yes, I went on a very short vacation to refresh but true to my nature, I am yet to understand the concept of vacation in terms of resting. Well I used the opportunity to start the recording of my #Frenchfusion show coming up next year, as I explored restaurants, street food, vineyards and lifestyle of the People of Bordeaux in France.

This is saying a big Thank you to my friends at the French Consulate Particularly Mr. Pierre Cherruau, My very sweet host Madame Marie-Christine, My camera Man and his wife Roland and Maris, Superstar Chef Jean-Pierre Xiradakis, Jonathan Ducourt, Chef Emmanuelle of L’Atelier du Chef, Chef Laura of Le Bistrat du Splendid and a host of other French People that threw me a smile. Not forgetting Mr. Joseph Hoyek and Martins Odulana of Air-France who worked me a fantastic discount. Thank you all so much.

Please click to see a few pictures

Anyway, #SUMFNGCHIKINY has been on and I have received great feedback these few weeks, I am truly grateful for your feedbacks. This is also welcoming all our new Foodaholics and viewers who have just joined in from TVC, you are all welcome to the LEAGUE OF SWAGGED UP FOODAHOLICS, (for here na to cook, chop and belle-full we dey do).

So Foodaholics, just like every of our seasons, you are in for fantastic recipes again, please try not to miss any episode, Saturday 7:30pm on wapTV, Friday 5pm on TVC. Don’t forget to keep sending me your Selfies and Foodfies (Foodaholic pictures) I love you all so much.

Meanwhile, our show Foodies and Spice has been nominated at the NBMA’s (Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards) in Category 58 (Best Brands/Business Program on TV) please follow the link http://nbma.linkedlist.us/category/58  to vote for us,….. (foodaholics I truly need your vote, would like to flash that plaque on a corner here *wink*)

Yours Geenaly,

Geena

Foodaholicssssssssss! How una dey?

Well it’s been a great week over here and this is hoping that you all had a mega super work week too. Plenty activities for me and of course cooking up all my better better for the betterment of all of us.

As part of the betterment things, I found myself at the NYSC camp in Lagos on Thursday the 14^th of August 2014 (that na Yesterday lol) where HONEYWELL FLOUR MILLS had a cooking competition for the corp members at the camp. Believe me it was fun!!!!!!!!!

Every Platoon had a representative for the cooking competition and of course they cheered their representatives well.

Brand representative of Honeywell Wheat Meal Mrs. Ogunyinka, in her speech, gave the rules of the game and the part that interested me the most is that, the judges will be looking for that Wheat meal that is solid, will mold perfectly and not stick to the fingers. (meehnnn it just reminded me of my 101% percent turning things skills, Foodaholics una know already na)

Anyway, the contestants turn wheat meal, they turned, they turned and turned and turned and Representative of Platoon 8 Oyelola Rebecca came out as the winner of the wheat meal competition, with Comfort Ayoluwa of Platoon 6 and Kikelomo Adeyemi of Platoon 2 as 1^st and 2^nd runners up respectively.

There was plenty of wheatmeal to share as the Honeywell Team did not forget to carry plenty of wheatmeal and soup for all the Ajuwaya’s. Also, I  liked the dancing competition.

I hear they do this always at the Lagos camp and believe me I think it is a cool initiative. Foodaholics, you know I love you all so much so I made you a video of the event. …. Yes! Yes!!... don’t mention, I am too kind!

Also keep a date with me tomorrow 7:30pm on wapTV, watch youtube snippet of our Nguoguo Pepper-soup with pasta

Mmmuuah!

Geenaly

There may be many pasta varieties available today but there is something the BEST pastas all around the world have in common and you can tell just by looking at it…they have a unique yellow/golden color and this is very true for Golden Penny Pasta.

During cooking, Golden Penny Pasta will not clump together or form surface stickiness, and it would have good texture when chewing. Golden Penny Pasta also has a pleasant taste and aroma, and always cooks al dente; which makes it the preferred family choice of pasta.

But what else makes Golden Penny Pasta Golden?

Apart from being made with the best quality ingredient (Durum) which gives it the unique golden color, it is high in protein which we all need for growth especially our little ones; it provides energy to drive us through our daily activities; it is high in fiber which means no bowel clogging; and guess what? It is low in cholesterol which means the risk of accumulating fat is minimal.

For the foodies and adventurous cooks, Golden Penny Pasta comes in thirteen exiting shapes which means you can try different recipes which bring excitement to meal times all the time.

It may interest you to know that Pasta is one of the most widely accepted foods globally and is consumed in all five continents and is appropriate for a dynamic and healthy lifestyle. It is very versatile and can be incorporated and eaten with local dishes. Another interesting and probably one of the most important factors that makes Pasta especially Golden Penny Pasta so relevant especially to the average person in our country is its affordability; no matter your pocket size, you can enjoy a delicious pasta meal. It also quick and easy to prepare which makes it ideal for the busy workers and business people who spend much time on the move, the student who needs more study time and even people who need more time to relax.

There is so much more to learn about pasta and you can get information by liking our Facebook Page on www.facebook.com/goldenpennypasta.

You can also get new recipes at our community Golden Penny Online Food Community.

FRENCH CUISINE, CULTURE AND WINE AT THE BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATION IN LAGOS

Foodaholics, I thought to share this with you, lotta pictures from the Bastille day celebration yesterday at Eko Hotel, believe me Geena had fun.

The Bastille day celebration is marked by the French all over the world on 14^th July to commemorate the French revolution and the storming of the Bastille. This year, like every other year, the French embassy organized a beautiful cocktail to mark this day.

It was well attended by the French, Friends of the French, Diplomats, press and yours sincerely was invited (yeaaaahh, can u see me being all French with my Blue and white dress? And I also wore a red shoe o).

Amidst the handshakes, kisses ( YES, the French loves to kiss. They shake you and kiss you at least three times… (Cheek kisses o, not French kiss, that one is solely for behind the scene), My biggest trip however, was the FOOOOOODDDDDD!

Believe me it was awesome, I nearly or even tried everything on their table and of course I didn’t miss out on the famous Bordeaux wine.

Hmmmmm, I think a #Frenchfusion show is brewing, Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Enjoy the pics and tell me what you think… love You foodaholics!

Yours Geenaly,

Geena

Foodaholicsssssss, am sure we are all doing great! And from feedback in the last few weeks, we are sure enjoying our #Pastaparri.

Anyway, I just thot to share with you some hot and sexy Pasta pictures from my last shoot

Am sure you like the pictures! Don’t forget its still #pastaparri on twitter, follow @geenamoore @foodiesandspice, Like www.facebook.com/foodiesspice, follow geenafoodiesandspice on instagram to catch all the latest #pastaparri happenings.

Foodaholics don’t forget to send your Selfies and Foodfies (food pictures, this time Pasta recipes) to me via facebook, the BB Pin or foodiesandspice@thewaptv.net so you can be featured as the Foodaholic of the week, You already know you stand a chance to win big from Golden Penny Pasta.

Till soon o, my personal people, Make una dey cook, dey chop and the Bellefull! Mmuuaahh!

Yours Geenaly

Geena

Foodaholics, I officially welcome you to Season 4 of Foodies and Spice aka PASTA PARRI. Before I go on, I would like to share my pasta story with you.

I grew up knowing that my Dad’s (Papa G) best meals have to be Pasta based. Now this was very strange for a Nigerian Man especially one from the south where Pounded yam was the in thing. My Dad’s love for Macaroni, spaghetti and anything pasta was amazing, it actually did annoy us after making some delicious soup with pounded yam to welcome him home from his travels and the next thing you hear is cook Spaghetti (oh! I won’t forget to tell you that he ends his day with Bread).

My Dad’s love for Pasta actually did not stem from the fact that his Mum weaned him with it, Nope! (In-short he was weaned with boiled Yam and Palm oil). But dad spent some part of his youthful days in Europe and he did explore European food and stuck to the Italian pasta. Papa G (as he is fondly called) could eat pasta with anything; I still have a childhood memory of him eating Pasta with just sliced tomatoes, His favorite pasta however being Spaghetti Bolognaise.  

This July, My father would have been 67 years old, and in very fond memories of him, I decided to dedicate this Season to preparing all the Pasta recipes I know, the ones I have researched and some I have originally created. He ignited my love for Pasta, he made me curious, he makes me wanna do this…

However, this idea was put on Paper and the good people of Golden Penny Pasta Loved it and has decided to make our Season 4 Pasta Parri very possible. I am truly very grateful to the Golden Penny Pasta Team, wapTV Crew and all of my Foodaholicss tweeting #Pastaparri already. Thank you all so much!

So My Personal People, please I need more of your support, let us tweet, let us share our Pasta foodaholic pictures, you can send them to me via facebook messaging on www.facebook.com/foodiesspice, you can also send them via email foodiesandspice@thewaptv.net,  lets share as much recipes. Also, Golden Penny has got lotta branded gifts to give away. So! Let the #Pastaparri begin.

Yours Geenaly,

Geena

Season 4: Do you like my tweaked up Promo?

What a ride, Here we are and I cant stop saying thank you.

Thank you God, Thank you Foodaholics and the Management of wapTV,  I dont know how far I would have gone without all of you.

However, I made a new promo for our PASTA PARRI season 4 and I would like you to see it and share your thoughts (I could change it if you dont like it).

Meanwhile, full story of PASTA PARRI coming soon, need to take a nap, I worked so haaaaaarrrdddddd this week lol.

Cheers

Dearest Foodaholics, Believe me when I tell you Season 3 is the most hectic season since the inception of Foodies and Spice…. Hectic in a good way though lol.

Now, it’s time for me to thank you all again for all your support in all your various ways of showing me support, you are all seriously appreciated. Again, we want to do what we usually do, pick our Foodaholic of the Season and appreciate him or her (guess we didn’t have him’s this season, No thanks to the crash and technical issues of all our Gadgets that help us get your pictures) But don’t worry, I think we have found a way around it, so it’s gonna be easier for us to get your pictures henceforth.

What to do? Like the facebook fan page www.facebook.com/foodiesspice send your foodaholic pictures and recipes via messaging and voila! You will be featured. Also you can email them directly to foodiesandspice@thewaptv.net. That said, we have just a few days to choose and honor our Foodaholic of the season, we pick the Foodaholic with the most comments to honor.

Please do help me choose by commenting on your favorite Foodaholic this Season and she would stand a chance of taking away some lovely gifts from moi and sponsors.

We do not have so much time ‘cos Geena wan enter kitchen to ready for SEASON 4. This is one Season you don’t want to miss…. Na, na,  it is tagged  PASTA PARRI, 13 weeks of Various Pasta recipes from the Foodies and spice kitchen infused with our personal Naija swag, you truly don’t wanna miss this.

See you very soooooon

Geenaly

This is thanking all my FOODAHOLICSSS for the Birthday wishes and prayers, you are all truly appreciated. Most of all I thank God for the gift of life for all of us and pray for good health and peace in our lives and world.

As promised, you can click the video below to see how I celebrated…. Luv ya all

I think I like……

Hello Foodaholicss, This is June, apart from it being my Birth Month, this month marks the end of the first half of the year as it ushers in the other half. Well to some, they start counting their gains, achievements and all from now as they get determined to meet up all the goals they set for themselves this year. Anyway, I am wishing you all a Super Splendid June and wish that all our dreams and aspirations come true.

Anyway, a foodaholic sent me this Sun flower oil , I tried it and it was really good, light and delicious. It’s suitable for your stews, frying, barbeques, baking and salad dressing (I used it for stew and salad dressing already and it came out perfectly right)

Now, the fantastic thing about this and why am letting you know is that, It is very affordable (una know now, I dey like make the matter save money lol). It comes in a 10 liter container and goes for just N5000 (Five Thousand Naira Only) discounted price for foodaholics.

Hmmmm….. I can’t talk plenty, just call +2348027529081 to order yours, I am enjoying mine, I hope she gives me again (hahahahha…. Osho free).

Okay, am putting up some recipe for you guys, we will post it tomorrow. Love you all……

Eeeehhh, lest I forget, you can download the Foodies and Spice with Geena App for Blackberry now, Please download, am working on other phone Apps. You guys rock my world, love you again and again… mmmuuaahhh.

Yours Geenaly

Geena

BOLINGO HOTEL ABUJA, RE-INVIGORATED AND RE-LAUNCHING SOON

After an extensive remodelling, Bolingo Hotel and Towers, Abuja is re-launching it’s hotel  situated at Independence Avenue, Central Business District in Abuja, with a new General Manager and executive team.  In the contemporary-styled, new Bolingo, you will find bright rooms with an upmarket and trendy feel.  

Morten Ebbesen has been appointed the General Manager. Ebbesen is a Danish National, with over 30 years experience in the hospitality sector.  Ebbesen is “African at heart”, having worked all over the continent.  He first came to Abuja in 1993 and understands the need to combine a warm hospitality experience with unforgettable service excellence. 

"Bolingo has hired a  new team to rebrand, renovate and re-launch Bolingo Hotel and Towers as a leader and trendsetter, bringing international standards to the hospitality industry in Nigeria", said the Managing Director, Chief Okey Igweh in a statement.  Opened in 1995, the property has undergone an extensive makeover to re-invigorate the Bolingo brand and plans to re-launch on the 22^nd of May, where invited guests will indulge in cocktails and a preview of the new look rooms and facilities at Bolingo.  

The hotel has remained open the entire time.  “It’s a work in progress,” Ebbesen said. Operating the hotel through major construction has been a logistical challenge but Bolingo is back, is revitalized and has developed new and creative ways to engage it's loyal guests and to introduce the hotel to a new generation of travellers, offering an unforgettable experience in comfort, service and excellence.

And hey Foodaholicssss.... Do not forget to check out the Restaurant, i hear they have some Super Duper chefs.

Luv ya all, and see you at the relaunch

#BRING BACK OUR GIRLS

It’s no longer news on the happenings in my country Nigeria, it’s no longer News that over 200 girls have been living in fear, despair, torment and extreme sadness in the hands of terrorist for over 3 weeks.

We have all been terribly hurt, some of us have had sleepless nights, we have prayed, we have engaged on daily debates with so much bitterness on the state of our nation Nigeria, But this is no time for blame games, this is no time to ask all the questions and wait for answers we may never get, this is us lending our shrill voices to the voices of millions all over the world asking for just one thing #BRING BACK OUR GIRLS

Bring back our sisters, bring back our friends, bring back our daughters, and bring back the mothers of the next generation of Nigerians. 

We passionately ask that for every single help anyone can render to bring back these girls, PLEASE DO HELP, and for those of us who cannot hunt the terrorists down, Please let’s keep praying, let’s keep hope alive and let’s keep believing that the effort of every single individual towards securing the freedom of the #Chibok Girls will eventually and definitely #Bring Back our Girls

As we await a happy ending, God bless you all, God bless and comfort the family of the #Chibok Girls, God bless Nigeria and may God grant the world Peace.

Yours Geenaly

Geena

MY CHINESE DINNER QUEST

My friend Armstrong fell in love with my cook show the very moment he stepped into my studio kitchen and since then we always kinda find away to talk about food even amidst very serious discussion like legal stuffs  (yes Armstrong is a Lawyer and likes food, What is it with lawyers and food?)

Anyway, he invited me to a Chinese dinner and trust this Foodaholic, I wanted to the most outta my Chinese dinner moment. No, It’s not my first time of doing Chinese meals, I have done them a lot in Nigeria and even Europe but this was special because it was going to be the first time am going to be doing Chinese with a Local (Local this time meaning a Chinese Man in a Chinese restaurant located in a Chinese “koro’ in Lagos).

Ok, I found myself in this address sent by Armstrong after turning the Toyin roundabout like 2 times (tank God there was no Traffic on that route on Tuesday evening). A waiter from the restaurant came to pick me from the road and into this “koro” almost opposite the Waterparks Toyin street we go.

Armstrong was there to meet and welcome me to the ZHOUJIE RESTAURANT in Ikeja, Lagos.  I got ushered into my sit by this boisterous and chubby Chinese Chef (Nobody should ask me the names of all the people I met in the restaurant o.. ehen, thank you). And after some brief Chinese food history (Armstrong was forming Chinese Chef, historian, taking lectures on Chinese food 101) and believe me I was enjoying the entire gist.

Here comes the very colorful menu and Armstrong was happy to explain and show me all the meals, Just then it hit me, ‘Geena make today different, you are eating with a local, explore new things” I had come with the intention of my regular Chinese, like stir fries noodle based and ricey recipes but my thoughts changed and my 8 years old popped up. (Have you met my 8 years old? Okay, it’s that inner me that remind me of everything I loved wanted and explored as a Child, it’s still there every day helping me get adventurous). Yes, my 8 years old said. Kung Fu Panda……. Yeeeeeaahhhhh.

Bring on the menu and all the names of everything I heard while watching the animated Movie Kung Fu panda, with Jack Black playing Panda was what I wanted. Bring on The Tofu, Bring on the Dumplings, except for the noodles (cos I wanted different).

Armstrong took it a notch higher and he spoke to the Chef in Chinese and I was allowed access to the Kitchen (thank me for the pictures)… 

it was fascinating in there, especially with the burning furnace making all the stir fries etc, I watched the Chef shred my Tofu with so much professionalism and did I mention that I was served an appetizer on arrival a puff puff like ball rolled in Sesame seeds. Armstrong picked his with a Chop stick and this Naija girl refused to use her conventional cutlery (they provided it ooo, I refused. Reason, I have been struggling to use Chop Sticks since my Chinese adventures started…. And am Happy to announce to you that on a scale of 1-10, my Chop stick swag has risen to like 7, Yipeeeee!!!! So I stuck with the Chop sticks).

So after my kitchen Tour, I settled back into my sit with this automated table that has a cooker attached and you can actually cook on the table. Armstrong kept colouring my evening with Chinese, Now some of the Lessons learnt were that the Nature of Chinese food is all about taste, Colour, Style and this was evident in all the pictures on the Menu and our meal when it arrived.

Shredded Tofu with Veg, Fried egg in Tomato sauce with herbs (that was kinda Nigerian), Spring rolls, Dumplings, soy and pepper sauces…. As it seems, I went all vegetarian. But I was excited cos it was going to be the first time I would be tasting dumplings. Picked up my chopstick and of Course I had Armstrong as a guide in the eating process. And I must not forget to tell you that Armstrong prayed in Chinese before we dug in, I said “Amen” in English.

Meal enjoyed, though my stomach is still in shock cos I shoulda done some form of meat, chicken fish…. I could hear my stomach saying “Geena please eat some form of Meat, and I humbly replied, Stomach na your mate be vegetarian, behave yourself and enjoy Tofu, its healthy”

Was a great dinner, friendly waiters, and Chef said I could come any time with my cameras, but amidst the food, the gist, the fun, the laughter and bills (Armstrong took that… Chinese gentleman huh? Yep! I left there with a Strong impression from a statement Armstrong made, FOOD HAVE LIFE! Enjoy food and enjoy life dearest foodaholicsss…. Love ya.

My Easter Thoughts: (For the Benefit of what you Believe)

Seeing everyone’s updates, PM’s and DP’s I imagined that if truly we all are "Jesus Like" as he asked of us or even tried to follow his teachings, what a world of bliss we would be living in. If we all acknowledged the reasons for the stripes, the thorns, the vinegar, the reasons he cried and carried the burden of the cross which eventually led to his death. I do not want to think too deeply into the mysteries or spirituality of the acts of Jesus on that day before Pontious Pilate and the walk to Golgotha but I want to focus on what his teachings in the physical, the one which everybody saw (for the benefit of those who doubt the resurrection and its aftermaths).

Jesus went about doing Good….. those were the exact words of the bible , he observed the Sabbath as it was his culture, he attended social gatherings,  performed miracles of love, turned water into wine as not to probably end a pleasant gathering for lack of drinks,  fed 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes, for them to be comfortable whilst listening to his teachings of hope, made the blind to see, ceased an embarrassing blood flow, healed an impotent man, lepers cleansed, lame men walked, Evil spirits were cast out, raised the dead and most importantly forgave sins - Forgave Sins??...... Yes he Did! Is he God?? I leave it to you to answer (For the benefit of those who have doubts about him being God) – I am focusing on the physical.

The adulterous woman was brought before Jesus, How do you Judge Jesus, they asked?  He replied, he who is without sin should cast the first stone, and by the time he raised his head they were all gone except for the woman whom he said to, Go and sin no more, I do not condemn you John 8:1-11. To the Paralyzed man, he said your sins are Forgiven, further on he said pick up your mat and go home, Jesus had the authority to forgive sins too here on earth. I can go on and on exposing what Jesus did or said in the Bible but am back to focusing on my own life, your life and our generation who are opportune to hear and know of these things Jesus did and said.

For a quick glance of most of him in the Bible, I will refer you to the Gospel according to the Book of John. You may have questions, doubts, get enlightened, find peace and Joy, but I assure you in all, you will realize that the only thing Jesus came to teach was the message of Love.

Jehovah has created all things well, the earth and the universe are mysteriously beyond the human imagination but in every dispensation, Love has always been lacking, from the times of Cain to Joseph, Moses to David, Elijah to Jesus, Love has eluded the world somehow – this love was what Jesus gave all of him to reinstate, Because if the human race finds love, every other thing will fall into place.

Jesus did not come to establish a church or a religion he came to establish and reinstate a lifestyle of Love and liberate the human mind from the shackles of Laws that were meant to make man love by force. He came to let us realize all we can do if we allow love dwell in us.

In the times of Jesus, there was existence in other continents of the world. Yes! In Africa, our forefathers worshiped their gods, in Asia and Europe they did worship various gods, the Israelites went to their temples to worship Jehovah but in all these, Love was missing hence the wars won’t stop, hence Cain Killed Abel, Assyrians won’t stop fighting Judah, Judah and Samaria in disagreement, lest I forget the twins Jacob and Esau, Fast forward to the Babylon Conquests, Rise of the Roman empire, Conquering towns and cities, English and the Scottish, Ife and Modakeke……etc

Humans will never live and let live. Lack of love for fellow humans (ritual killings, taking slaves, suicide bombings, terrorism), lack of love for our environment, Plants and animals and even love for ourselves (dangerous living) opened the space for everything Evil. But Jesus came with the antidote, the teaching of love, the love that will bring Joy, peace and even healing.

Jesus performed miracles, he had the powers to do that and we won’t deny that our indigenous folk tales tell of humans who had mysterious powers to alter the natural, even Elijah asked Namman to deep in the river Jordan and he was cleansed of leprosy- it is clear to me that the Almighty creator provided the ability for humans to alter the natural – hence the bible stated “Ye are Gods” and Jesus reiterated it, that whatever he did, we would do also. But can we when we have no Love?? God wants miracles to happen all the time for our comfort and benefit but these days People do not believe they have the ability to alter the natural or even receive the ability to because their loveless minds are not in tune with God’s intentions and design and they have put the whole of that ability in the hand of a few (am sorry I do not want to delve into the spiritual or metaphysical)…..

Even the few who can access it cannot give freely, I hear of women and men of God who will pray for only the rich and influential in their congregation… is that the kind of love Jesus preached? The woman with the issue of Blood would have been doomed if it were these days and the Dude at the pool of Bethsaida would be totally forgotten (he did not even have any relatives as stated).  Today (Being Easter) the churches are filled again, our PM’s and updates etc professing Jesus Jesus, Lord Lord….. He however mentioned that not all who call me “Lord Lord” will enter the kingdom of God. I will not be surprised if in paradise, that old woman in my village worshiping olokun (river goddess), who do not understand the concept of Jesus will be in the front row in paradise, why?? She wakes up in the morning, cleans her environment, goes the extra mile to clean up the river bed, helps a sick person with her traditional medicine without a fee or offering, shows kindness to her neighbors, shares her food with the hungry, wakes up to pray for peace and enjoys nature.

How did we miss it? Lack of love in every aspect of our life: A scientist finds a cure to a deadly disease, it will rather be patented and sold for an arm and a leg, Church services must be everyday because of the offerings and vows that must be paid. (I do not want to delve into the matters of Church investments) but I must note that Jesus clearly stated that my house will be called the house of Prayer but you have turned it into a den of thieves (okkkay!! That was a temple not a Church…… Judge for yourselves) Mattew 21:12

Jesus never ceased to honor and Glorify God in everything he did, he did not take the Glory because he did the work of God who sent him in love ( Am sorry... For those of you who doubt he was sent by God)... He however reffered to God as the one who sent him, he did not ascribe all the glory to himself, he was humble (a virtue which is lacking in some self proffesed God sent ministers) John 7. Maybe if we eliminate the "I's", "I did it" factors, we may begin to walk the way of love.

Aaaaaaa! This Jesus sef, himself no be human being na, e too get power and ability from above naa ( for the benefit of those who believe he is God incarnate, Super human, he doesn't know what it is to be human) let me shock you, Jesus was so human, he was born like you and me, he knew hunger hence he cursed the fig tree Matt 21:19, Jesus loved parties, he attended a wedding and supplied wine, Jesus did not want to hurt, hence for everytime the mob came after him, he escaped. Part of the reason why he met a dead Lazarus instead of a sick one, Jesus wept, yes, he Cried! John 11:35, Jesus felt pain and anguish, Jesus felt frustrated and abandoned by God - Eli Eli Lema Sabachthani (God why have thou forsaken me, he cried) - Mattew 27:46, Jesus Died, Mattew 27:50.

Jesus knows what it is to be human in every aspect. Like I stated earlier, I do not want to write on the theologies, the mysteries, the spirituality of what his birth, Life and death signifies (cos I don't even know all that one very well) - but am focusing on Jesus's message of Love and his obedience to God, He endured it all in obedience to God who sent him, He had the Virtues of Abraham, "Belief and Strong Faith in God", But Jesus's faith and Obedience was Classic after all, before Abraham Jesus was, (for the benefit of those who believe he is God) John 8.

Jesus died for love to be reinstated in man kind, he only preached the message of love and did Deeds of Love, he felt abandoned, rejected by friends (thanks Peter, we got a lot of friends like you these days but no blames, it wasn't easy..) but he endured to the last.

Now, how many of us self proffesed God lovers will endure a situation without seeking a second option - you graduate, you have delays in employment, you pray for one year, you don't get an answer, you run to a mountain where you don't know its foundation or what is beneath it. You want a husband, you pray for one year and you seek solution at a spiritualist, you attend all christian gatherings of various denominations seeking solution, where exactly lies your faith and your love for God? If you love God, you will believe God, you will endure to the end, you will belive and trust him till death- those are the kind of Children God wants and that is the example Jesus led.

Let us not only acknowledge him and his love on our social media updates and DP's, He taught love and Jesus wants us to live in love. I have pondered, these are my Easter thots and Just like the “Preacher”, I conclude by reiterating Jesus's summations, Love God, keep his commandments, Love your neighbour as yourself - only that way will we find love that will heal our world!

I hereby would like to retreat to my Easter Chocolates (Don't I just love any form of Holidays, when can we have Hanukkah and Holi in Naija Please...) , I am not a preacher or a writer but just a little Lady who is not afraid to think... (Thank God that my thoughts cannot be judged, its in my mind so there is no evidence I thought it). Have a very thoughtful Easter folks!

Yours Geenaly

GEENA

THANK YOU!.....  Season 3 is here

Dearest Foodaholics, this is a special thank you to all my foodaholics from all over the world, words are not enough for me to express how grateful I am for all your support so far. Your visits to d blog (over 1000 views on a daily), your comments, your messages, calls… I am so so very grateful.

I also wish to thank all my foodaholics that have sent in their Selfies and food pics, you guys are awesome. And for those I am yet to feature, trust me; your picture is on the line. However, I won’t fail to thank Engr Turner my first male foodaholic on the Blog, Eghosa Isibor for setting a very high bar in the business of Selfies, Recipes and Preparation and all ma Ladies rocking my Blog. God Bless you all.

Also, to Riunite Wine for their support this past Season, (thank you Juliet #Big Hug) and to Marco Martinez for the awesome #foodAHOLIC Tee Shirts for my Foodaholics

 

(Marco is the illlest Tee designer ever liveth). Habeeb Oredola for the awesome acts of encouragement, to my extra helping hands, Tumise, Nkem, Fortune, Niyi, Collins, Joy, Emi, Gabriella, My Stylists (Mademoiselle and J-smith), the Crew and my Oga at the Top Mr. Wale Adenuga mfr (Foodies and Spice would still be a dream without your support), to everyone too numerous to mention, thank you all for making it a reality.

Now, I welcome you all officially to Season 3 (dancing azonto)… Please don’t miss the season Premiere tomorrow Saturday by 7:30pm and Yemi Alade is in the building on a quest to keep “Johnny” forever. Don’t forget if you can’t watch wapTV on your TV, you can log on here on the blog and click on the live streaming button by 7:30pm. You can also download the wapTV App for android and Blackberry.

I Love you all so much and I do humbly seek your continuous support, please keep spreading the word about “foodies and Spice with Geena”, keep visiting the blog and keep posting your comments. Have a splendid weekend. Mmmuaahhh!

Yours Geenaly 

I see the woman I have grown up to become and the one I am aspiring to be and I cant say I was this shaped up without the loving hands of the Woman God gifted to me as a Mother. She means everything to me. She is an epitome of true love, (now if you have a problem understanding what True Love is all about, you got to study "Mama Geena 101"), she gives it all up for the sake of Love..... too much to put in writing but will sure dedicate a special day for this Super Woman, But I must not fail to Thank her here for a few of the plenty sacrifices she made.

1. Thanks for marrying Dad

2. Thanks for that strong push in the Labour room and bearing all the tears (I was a huge baby at birth with big head)

3. Thanks for giving up the elite lifestyle you aspired just to stay home to care for me and my siblings

4. Thanks for dropping out of school for a later time just to be our best friend (Mum just graduated from the University of Benin 2years ago)

5. Thanks for having Faith and Believing in me... You have  NEVER told me "you can not", I only hear "why not DO IT now"

6. Thanks for teaching me and showing me "do not say YES when you mean to say NO".... it sank!

7. Thanks for all the selfless Prayers, pushing it, regardless of any circumstance.....

I Love you Mama

Now that's my Mum. Believe me there are women who do not even have children of their's and have been all these and more to various people and Children, Those are great Mothers too, they are worth celebrating for all their selflessness, love, care, believe and Prayers. 

One of the strongest and greatest attributes of a True Mother is SELFLESSNESS... A true mother puts her own Happiness last, her children's happiness are her Happiness.... I see a lot of that from Mothers all over the world but we cant shy away from the fact that some mothers have not lived up to expectation in that regards ( They put their own happiness first....well topic for another day o)

It's Mothers Day and every true Mum got to be celebrated.... if you still got yours, simply call her up and tell her you love her, you can recount sacrifices she made that meant much to you, You can cook her our Special Mothers Day Fried rice recipe, You can write her a lovely note, You should give her a big big hug, You should do something for her no matter how minute and she would sure feel loved (Tip: Do not buy General gifts i.e gift other people can use, e.g glass cups, set of plates etc.... Buy her, her own special gifts e.g Lace, Wrapper, a car lol etc)

I would also use this opportunity to remember Mothers whom have left us to watch over their Children from heaven, i want to say continue to Rest in peace and for the Children they left behind, stay strong and be the best u can be so Mama can remain Proud in Heaven. Our Mothers sure mean a lot to us, Our Biological Mothers and those who have stepped in that shoe for the sake of Love.  Happy Mothers Day

Celebrate your mother by telling us what your Mother means to you?....... luv you all!

Two Plates of Chow Mein Please!

Na wah! ... Fine boy attracted the comments of all the Ladies visiting this blog (hmmm….. I no go talk) and ome others already tried their hands on Chow Mein. Super!

Here is Foodaholic Iphy with her Chow Mein from Eggy's recipe, and she said her Oga asked for 2 plates *wink* 

Anyway, lot of People loved the Groundnut soup Pics so I thought to display some here for your viewing pleasure…. Please tell me what you think about these pics…. Lol.

And don’t forget, keep commenting on your choice Foodaholics….We got One week to the season finale…..

Love you guys much much.

CHECK OUT MY NEW PROMO

Foodaholicssss….. The surest people in the universe, people wey sabi good food wen dem see am, people wey sabi chop and chop with swag and people wey they chop bellefull (in Yoruba, this is called oriki)…. I hail una! And as usual I am very excited because una dey burst my miiiinnnddddd! Lol

Your Encouragement as usual has been encouraging me and just when I think it’s too much, una dey top am more and more, thank you so much.

Hmmm…. Okay, Season 2 is rounding off fast and have you guys been fantastic? YES! Have I satisfied your foodaholicism (that should be trademarked hahahahah) I think I have *wink*. In that light I would like to say, Brace up for Season 3 cos we just getting started.

Also, please, keep voting for the Foodaholic of your choice to win our Season package. As it is, Miss. Dolapo Alabi from Ibadan is leading with comments on her comment box. Please do the same for your choice Foodaholic so we can appreciate them for encouraging me with their Selfies.

However, if your Picture did not make this season, be sure you are going to be one of our super Foodaholics for Season 3….. And talking about Super Foodaholics, Please don’t miss Foodies and Spice this Saturday, you can stream online on the top left corner of this page at the times written in there for you to see our Super Duper Hot Foodaholic from California (that guy is hooooottttttt) (lips zipped, Please watch and visit the Blog ‘cos he would be featured soon).

…. And for a sneak peak of my new promo, please click watch and tell me if you like it (leave a comment please, so I know if I have done a good job with dat lol). Love you all so much mmmuuuaaah mmmuuaaaah mmmuuaaaahhh!!

Yours Geenaly

GEENA

FOODIES PRIVATE COOKING CLASSES?...YES!

I am so excited, REASON?... I got my first male “FOODAHOLIC OF THE WEEK” last week and to be honest I got another male Foodaholic almost immediately even before Mr. Turner’s picture was featured. This is so encouraging and I am truly very appreciative of the support am getting from all of you. mmuuaaah

However, as our season 2 rounds off slowly, I must say that it’s been super fun for me exploring and preparing these Fantastic meals week by week. So, in the spirit of celebrating my Foodaholics (I honestly do wish I can invite all of you to dinner somehow) I have decided to handout a package to a foodaholic or two this season (Now this is where I need your help).

I have 3 more foodaholics to go before the end of the season and I will upload them weekly as usual. However, I do need to put it to vote...why? Because I truly would have loved to hand all of them a package each but I have just a few packages to give out. So what I will humbly need you to do for me is comment on the comment box of any of the Foodaholic you choose and that Foodaholic with the highest number of comments gets to win the package (you will have to scroll down the HOME page to comment on them). Simple huh? Yes … Simple!.... (well we all already know that no matter how your vote goes, Mr. Turner will make my list for the package lol, so u can like not to vote for him)

Also, the Big News! FOODIES AND SPICE now Offer PRIVATE COOKING CLASSES and deliver freshly cooked meals to your doorstep, Please click the Meal order button for details (Please do spread the news…. It’s a cooking revolution People! It’s exciting cooking your own meals) Anyway, the cooking classes promise to be so much fun and am willing to do group classes too, so don’t forget to call up our Rep  for a chance to try out cool recipes on your own.

Lest I forget, when Orise femi visited, he told us a lot about the song “DOUBLE WAHALA”, but I couldn’t edit the whole gist because of time. So, I decided to do another edit especially for the viewing pleasure of all my foodaholics on the blog.

Anyway, this is wishing you all a Splendid week and keep a date with me Thursday 4pm for a repeat broadcast of “Edikanikong soup” and Saturday 7:30pm for a fresh episode of…… (take a guess….lol)

Love you all so much and God Bless. mmmuaah!

Yours Geenaly

Geena

JUST LIGHT UP!!

Foodahoollllicsssssss….. Yes, I have been very quiet on this corner, APOLOGIES; it’s been the busiest first quarter of the year since I was born. As soon as I decide to tap on my keyboard something else happens and you are not even sure of what to write about any more. But to be honest, this first 2 months of 2014 has been enlightening, challenging, demanding, and beautiful.

However, amidst all these, I appreciate your support, prayers and encouragements and most especially the love and covering of the almighty God.

This season as promised, I believe I have lived up to expectation in dishing out our weekly recipes and it has been fun for me. Haven hosted a few celebs and some that I invite refuse to show up (I sure say dem dey wait for me to blow first, Hence I need all of you to keep announcing foodies and spice in your village meetings and town hall), what matters more to me every week is all of you who will show up here daily for something new. That was why even in my very down state (yes am human, sometimes things don’t always go the way we want them) I still hit the kitchen studio on my recording days and put my fun face up. Believe me,  as soon as I see my ingredients I just light up!

Ahan! Lest I forget, I was in Warri, Delta State Nigeria for the opening of the GLASSFA PRIMA HOTEL and trust me now; my first point of call was their kitchen. They’ve got some really cool chefs and during our parley I talked to them about a special menu that will be unique to their Kitchen. Anyway to cut the long story short, The Glassfa Prima Hotel in Otokutu, Warri Delta State, do not only boast of a hospitality experience likened to what you may get in a 5 Star hotel but you will be able to order the “Fisherman’s soup” (this is d part me I like in the waka). The Fisherman’s soup is a delicacy that you must try if you are in Warri or you find yourself in Warri, GLASSFA PRIMA’S kitchen is your best choice. Also, in case you do not have a clue, Please stay tuned to Foodies and Spice because am sure I am making the Fisherman’s soup very soon.

That said, I had a fantastic shoot day last week Thursday. I had Orise femi in the kitchen (that guy’s music brings out the razzness in me, Chai!... and he is also very very deep). Also Mademoiselle couture was at the Kitchen too (yeah that woman that has been making me look good) Don’t forget to call her up if you like any of the dresses, quote foodies and spice for super discounts. Sharing some preetyfull pictures with you Okay…. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR MY DEAREST FOODAHOLICSSS ( lol…I haven’t said it on this blog because of the roller coaster of activities… Forgive me please) you have been so kind, your support, your criticism and encouragement makes me go to bed every night feeling fulfilled in this regard daily. God Bless you! And please, your comments means so much to me, I like to hear your thoughts, from the back end I have a minimum of 500 people visiting daily sometimes 700 I want moooooreeeeeee…. And I sure want to see your comments too.

Muuahh muaaah muaah muaah…. Stay blessed!

MY OPEN LETTER: MERRY CHRISTMAS but Where are your Parents?

In this Season of OPEN LETTERS, I have decided to write my own! (I really have to write enough pages to qualify)

Dear able Foodaholics and Cookaholics, words are not enough for me to thank God for his mercies and Grace upon our lives (we don see another Christmas) where I come from them they use Christmas measure your maturity lol (How many Christmas u don see?)

Thanks be to All Mighty Baba God for the grace to see another Christmas with our lives and that of our loved ones intact (Halleluyah). That said, my surest People, I can’t continue to yarn without me taking out a few lines to say a Big thank you for your unflinching support for Foodies and Spice. We started out this quarter and we have come to the end of the first season of Foodies and Spice and I am very proud and at the same time humbled to say we finished STRONG therefore, we have a second season on TV starting 4^th January 2014. I am very grateful to God and all of you. Here are a few pics of the first two episodes of 2014….

(am feeling my looks meehhhnnn…. Tanks Emiezi for make up, “u finish work o baby” in Naeto C’s voice)

Now, Christmas means various things to various people, but for me, Christmas means a time of Gratitude to God for the grace of redemption, giving back and of course food and eating. Like I always say, no one human deserves to be hungry, at least one good meal a day will do. In that light, I decided to share a few giving back tips I shared during my birthday this year, (I didn’t have my blog then so a few friends put it up on their blog, this is thanking Neecebosslady, aproko.me, swaggerprince for sharing then).

However, before we go into the tips, yours sincerely was with the Boys of the Juvenile correctional home in Abeokuta last weekend and I had a swell time celebrating Christmas with them.

Now this piece is on caring for our Parents in modern times and there is no better time to show your parents some love than the Christmas season, like they say “Charity begins at home”, learning how to give begins from the home, else you will have issues knowing how to give easily to strangers.

Different circumstances define our relationships with our parents, not all kids are as lucky as others. Some even at 50years do have their parents running their life, choose their career, choose their spouse (serious issue but topic for another day), choose their abode etc. While for others they may have been abandoned as kids, assaulted by parents, tortured emotionally by irresponsible parents etc. Lots of factors define these relationships but like I said TOPIC FOR ANOTHER DAY.

However, regarding these circumstances, at what point does a child become responsible to a parent? At what point should they start caring for them? Relationship, circumstances and life situations also come to play here, some start taking care of them as kids (e.g. Children taking up labor to fend for families) some start when their parents have invested in them and they are obliged to give back while some very affluent individuals never find the reason to, because their parents investments and wealth can take care of them to their 5^th generation (I guess my little piece is irrelevant to such individuals……whoosai, na for everybody).

These days it is very easy to neglect our parents, due to circumstances as mentioned above or basically lack of knowledge apart from lots of religious injunctions on honoring parents so you will live a long and full life (…..what am I doing with a half life when I can have a full life), it is morally wrong to neglect your parents. Exodus 20:12. In old Israel being headed by Prophet Moses they took it too far, dishonoring a parent is viewed as a capital offence Leviticus 20: 9, Proverbs 20:20 here the wise one said that your light will be snuffed out if you insult your father or mother. Lots and lots of religious injunctions why parents should be honored but to be truthful to ourselves, not all parents are worth the honor in modern times (God help all of us).

Parents can be overbearing sometimes and may not know when to allow their Children start living their life or make their own choices. However irrespective of the circumstances, if they are worth it or not, what exactly do we owe? Whether a parent has played a Good role or not in your life, contributed in your success or not, they are never to be ignored or abandoned (I know 70% of us have a story to tell. Dearly beloved, swallow it with ice water, you are not in that ship alone, just smile).

For some people, they only want to care for their Mum’s (Ask the Mothers day calendar and the Fathers day Calendar to tell you the story…. Very good for all those wayward fathers that ignored their responsibilities and kudos to the Mama’s that stood by through thick and thin), apart from the biblical injunctions, Parents, both FATHER and MOTHER should be honored with your care, especially at old age.

It can be hard keeping up with caring for them in our modern societies, with low incomes, lack of good health care facilities, our daily hustle, our nuclear family issues and then add EXTENDED family burdens, it sure can be a gargantuan task. … But hey, didn’t they say that whatever has an advantage has disadvantages too and vice versa, so then let’s explore the advantages of modern life (as you cannot leave your telecom job in Lagos and move back to Agbor to care for your parents….good for your father, if he had only worked a little harder to own a telecom company lol).

Below are a few tips (I call them the CLEAR CONSCIENCE TIPS)

1). Urban /Modern Life come with its pecks, TECHNOLOGY!... Please buy your parents a N2000 Phone, register the sim and call them regularly.  For some of us that can afford devices that can handle Video calling, make provisions for it and pose on your sofa every other day for at least a minute and ask about their health. Please be patient to hear all the reports, from the rabbit burrowing a hole in the fence to the little kids who came to the compound to pluck mango and have finally broken a window with their sticks, be patient….. (It may just be the last time you will be hearing from them).

2).  Make sure they reside in a comfortable apartment, Comfortable doesn’t mean luxury…you don’t want your aged mother living in the same compound with a pervert? or now that the mango plucking boys broke the window, the window got to be fixed, you don’t want Mosquitoes feasting on your ageing parents. You must make their home comfortable, where all their necessities are at their reach, remember, NOT luxury… only if you can afford it.

3).  They must have Bank accounts: There must be a bank close enough to your parents home, you cant travel home every weekend (your parents sure do not want you to die on the bad roads) send them allowances in your capacity, nothing is too small….. Even if is 10% of your income, they will understand. NEVER let your parents starve; a hungry parent only speaks curses.

4).  You must have the Phone number of a Doctor, Nurse, Street Chemist, or a Neighbor that resides in the same vicinity as your parents. Very necessary in case of any emergencies, at least someone to keep an eye on them for you.

5).  Couples must plan to accommodate Parents in their budget (all hail the Mother in-laws and Daughter in-laws in battle…. God shall grant you peace) anyway, your battles aside first…

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jones, the day you said I do, you adopted one more Father and Mother…( I know that my parent’s needs are more than yours Mr. Jones, but let us agree on an amount to be sent to both parents equally. Monthly, weekly, daily or…. sha no cheating! Mrs. Jones, that is not fair now, can’t you see my Mum does not have as much children as your Mum, I am the breadwinner of my family and you, you have got Six elder brothers in the USA sending your Mum dollars, you don’t expect we send our parents equal funds…ratatata, ratattatataa….. )

Please Mr. and Mrs. Jones calmly agree on something as friends we believe you are and keep to your terms. THANK YOU!

6).  Make your parents feel special always: Remember their birthdays, anniversaries, Parenting Holidays, acknowledge them, send gifts, thoughtful and sweet sms”s….

TIP: Do not buy your Mum a General gift for her birthday e.g. Blenders, sets of plates. My mum calls them General gifts ‘cos such gifts are still meant for everyone’s benefit, buy them their own special something, like a wrapper, Gele, lace, etc. Dads usually don’t mind general gifts; you can buy him a lawn mower or set of glass cups. He won’t mind Mum using his new glass cups to entertain her friends.

These are a few little Clear conscience tips for Starters, Now, it doesn’t matter the circumstances, it doesn’t matter your income, if you try you can be a caring Child, and if you honor your parents, you are sure to make them speak blessings into your life and also your Happymeter will be higher with knowing your parents are happy.

If we apply these little tips and more we could make this world close to paradise. OH! And for those of you who just read and think it doesn’t apply to them…..Brother Applicant and Sister Omo Baba Olowo….. ehn, you can at least pick one tip. My People say that if u did not join in clearing the bush, you can at least greet well done…. *At all, at all n’ aim bad pass*. Give your Parents some little attention.

Lastly, for all of you that are inclined to divinations, prophecies and they have told you that it’s your parents (Mothers actually take the trophy in this department) that have bewitched you and caused your downfall, *clear my throat*… think am well ooo….. However if you choose to run, don’t abandon, take Tip no. 1, 3 and 4…… if your mother has bewitched you well well and you can’t forgive, Oya, take only Tip No. 3, THEY MUST NOT STARVE.

It is easier said than done, but let The Almighty God grant us the grace to be caring and responsible children, so that when Mrs. Karma comes by our way, she will smile at us and even dash us presents like Father Christmas will do.

This is Christmas again; there is no better time to apply any of these tips. God Bless us, God Bless our Parents.

Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Yours Geenaly

GEENA

ARE YOU COOKING FOR YOUR DAD?

One person I first started cooking to impress was my Dad. When I became confident I could cook, I just wanted to show him all the time what I can do. No matter how tasteless what I dished out to him was my Dad was going to devour it with relish. My Dad also loved to impress us as kids, he made the best oven toasted bread I can remember and his mix of watermelon and Paw- Paw that he called “sweets”. My Dad’s favorite meals were Rice with stew and anything Pasta…….. #speechless#

Daddy, I cry everyday for the past one year and these past two months has been worse. If tears could bring you back am sure you wouldn’t let me cry for once before coming back, I am too sure of that, you loved me that much. I cast my mind back to when I was between the ages of 10-12; you came visiting like you would every month end. You had to go out with your friends for a party but I missed you so much to let you go for that party and I began to cry, I wanted you to just spend some time with me. You were all dressed up and your friends were waiting in the sitting room. I only cried a little and you asked “Gin Gin girl (my pet name) what is wrong?” I said I wanted you to stay. You explained your friends were waiting already and it was important for you to attend. I insisted that I missed you. And that was it; you went to the sitting room and told your friends you weren’t going with them again to the party.

Papa Gee, I have cried for one year, missed you every minute but you didn’t come back. Probably Heaven has got the sweetest Dad that ever liveth and i am sure they love you so much over there already so they won’t let you come back. Your kindness, your funny jokes and stories, you sure are entertaining them so much, there is no dull moment with you….. Wish you could just pop in one day for a Family dinner though, but some wishes NEVER COME TRUE, if they did, you wouldn’t even go to heaven yet in the first place.

Thank you for believing in me “you sounded it in my ears everyday” I grew up with the consciousness that you believed in me. In conversations you will always say “Gina, for you, I have no fears”. You said these things to me even as a teenager. Thanks for giving me chances, thanks for educating me, thanks for letting me express myself and not denying me freedom to be me amidst the obstacles.

You can’t come back, but one thing I am sure of is that I have an extra loving Angel in Heaven, the tears in my eye may never dry from missing you, I will never forget you, it’s tough but we are keeping up. LOVE YOU FOREVER.

Meanwhile, Dearest Foodaholics, sorry for boring you with this little love talk, but my little advise is this, It’s the Yuletide season again, are a busy Bee? Will u be visiting your Dad, if you still have him? Please do cook for him as much as you can, tell him how much you love and appreciate him, because we never really know how long they are with us for.

Love you all and we pray death will never snatch us and our loved ones at our Prime in Jesus name. AMEN.      

MERRY CHRISTMAS IN ADVANCE.

HEALING POWERS OF LOVE

I have honestly been missing my Dad daily these days,whom as at this time last year was in his last stages battling Cancer and he finally won the battle to rest on December 3^rd 2012. It really does hurt to watch a loved one in so much distress and pain. I am not writing about my Dad today or Cancer but I just thought out a few simple things we could do to express love to sick people.

Below are a FEW things you could do to help make a sick person a bit happy and comfortable

1.    VISIT : Yes visit them as regularly as you can, it is not a time to desert them at all, let every visit be a fun time (and never forget their birthdays and anniversaries, plan a party no matter how small)

2.    GIFTS:  Send Get well cards, Books, Flowers etc, things you know they would usually and naturally love

3.    FOOD: Do not deprive them of good FOOD and don’t serve them like they are sick, use the best plates and cutlery in your collection, make them special, even when you know they may not be able to eat to your satisfaction, serve them specially still. Good Food heals the soul

4.    LISTEN: Sick people sometimes want to talk, air their views and share their pains. Listen to everything they have to say, you sure do not want to regret not listening to vital information. It could be boring but please just listen.

5.    ENCOURAGE: Encourage them on every step of the way, feel the pains with them, encourage them with God’s word and assure them of how all will be well (the fear of the well being of their loved ones and what may happen to them after they are gone break their hearts, so they need a lot of encouragement on that regards)

6.    PRAY: Pray for them regularly, Pray for their loved ones and their primary caretakers as well

7.   SUPPORT: This crowns it all up, show support in every way and any way you can. DO NOT DISCRIMINATE or ABANDON

Speaking of support, WORLD AID’s day (December 1^st) is around the corner and diverse NGO’s, Corporate Bodies and Individuals will be commemorating this day with various activities. Also are my friends at MTV (Viacom) and as usual they have produced another season of the beautifully scripted SHUGA a story that will enlighten you more on HIV and AIDS. Please do click on shuga.TV and watch episodes on wapTV from December 1^st to 8^th 2013. Also, please in your own little way show some love or cook something special (from our various recipes on the blog) for any sick person around you or anyone you know suffering from this ailment.

YES! My Foodaholics and Cookaholics, I don speak too much Oyibo already, as e be so, I wan thank una well well for the support wey una dey show Foodies and spice so far. My Friends, na una sure pass! As the foodaholics of the week start, see as una dey support me. In short I am blushing on top my black skin. Thank you so much God Bless una well, especially those of una wey don send the pictures of their food and their FOOD FACES, CHINYERE NWANKWO , ESSY COMFORT ARTHUR and all others Thanks for participating. Na one pishure a week so I go dey put dem week by week.

Ehen, some of una dey complain say una need easy way to send una own pictures. Na im make me don buy new Blackberry Pin 7C5126EF (na pin I buy o, no be the fone) so una go add am take send una pishure as we take dey do am. Just the name of the Meal, ingredients, the recipe and most importantly your FOOD FACE wey I go show on top blog and for wapTV, every Saturday 7:30pm on our TV show.

God Bless una o, God no go allow us see any kind of sickness o, and God go heal all the people wey dey sick in Jesus name. Amen! Oya make we dey Chop dey Belle full… Carry Go!

Yours Geenaly

GEENA

GET INSPIRED, BE THE COOK OF THE WEEK

My Loveliest Foodaholics, it is with great pleasure (and sleepy eyes) I take dey write this piece so. Kweeekee!! (as my kwale people talk am), it has been an eventful week (Glory be to Jehovah) but my body dey tell me (lol). However I still dey kampe and I believe say all of una dey Kampe by the grace of the most high.

I was opportune to do one of my public speaking with the students of Otega schools this week and at the symposium, I spoke on Youth and contemporary Crime: Challenges and Solutions. The kids were fun and I got enlightened also (#tip Children dey talk true wen dem dey comfortable).Well I think over time I have perfected my art of public motivational speaking. It was a great outing and the kids were imparted (thank God for inspiration). Please see pictures and comments bellow (feeling like Fela Durotoye #run#) 

Speaking of Inspiration, Our Meal this week is something that inspires me and I am sure it will inspire you too. Its SEA FOOD OKRA SOUP and Okra soup na one of my favorite soup. Once I don deck am with snail and crayfish, my guys…… inshort I can’t shout (lol) just watch the video and see methods at Recipe corner. Please I would like all of us to try it and send me pictures of your Creations.

Also, we one start new thing for this blog, like I talk for my very first Editorial, I talk say this blog na everybody blog and in that light, I am introducing the FOODAHOLIC OF THE WEEK corner. Here, all the Beautiful foodaholics’ wey dey visit this blog will have the chance to showcase pictures of their finished meals, the methods of preparing the meal and their pretty faces.

All you need to do is send the picture of the meal, method of preparation and your favorite Food Face (no send me picture of your traditional wedding o) to foodiesandspice@thewaptv.net and as soon as I show my Judges, it will be uploaded on the Cook of the week corner. I believe this would be so much fun, and I must not forget to thank all of you for your support. Please keep spreading the word and get all your friends to participate in the cook of the week corner (you can be a multiple cook of the week and if you reside in Lagos or just passing by, you could also have a chance to visit the Foodies and Spice kitchen and it will air on TV on a lovely Saturday evening) Una do well o, as una take dey support me, God go support everything wey concern una ooo

Yours Geenaly

GEENA

Na una Sure Pass.

My Dearest Dearest Foodaholics….. what can I say But a very Big Thank you for your support so far.This is just week 3 and I got such massive support this weekend and it’s all because of all of you visiting the blog and spreading the word. Am using all the Thank you inside of me to say a Big THANK YOU, you guys are ANGELS.

Now, I want to share the story of the sophisticated baked Dodo. If anyone believes in the divine, then you should believe me when I say it was divinely inspired. I woke up that morning veeerryyy hungry, it’s a shoot day for Foodies and spice and it had been a very busy week so I did not have any recipe planned out for that shoot most especially because of the limited time I had to plan for some project.

Amidst the confusion, I saw a bunch of Plantain lying by the side of the kitchen and some eggs in the crate and that was it…. I thought to make something for breakfast for myself and inspiration just hit me, I fried the plantain, whisked the egg and the next thing I saw myself pouring the plantain into the egg and the rest is my Sophisticated baked Dodo…….

I am so happy about the Buzz I got this weekend concerning the recipe and am so willing to share, I would like all of you to try and we can share all our results here, send me pictures via my email and I will post them.

Also, Make una no miss the next episode, because it’s so clear that the issue we will be dealing with in the next episode affects us all…..EXCESSES, what do you do with these food items when they are just too much? Watch out, am sure it will be fun as usual.

Look forward to writing again soon but till then, keep eating healthy and with swag.

Yours 

Geenaly    

WE DON DEY SHOW FOR Tv

Eewwoooo!!….. It’s been an awesome month, lots of activities but in all of it, I did not forget to think about all of you and foodies and spice *wink*

From the WapTV Anniversary (meeehhhn we groove) to the Europe trip (Yeah, I promised to do a Foodies and Spice France version but at the point of trying to record, Battery ran out and my (un)Professional cameraman forgot his Charger in faraway Naija but we didn’t forget to take pictures) Pictures of my Chicken will be uploaded soon.

However, Premiere was last Saturday and I was right on time to view, and as expected, it was AWESOME. This is thanking you all for watching, the calls, the emails, comments and likes on facebook. THANK YOU VERY MUCH OOOOO, UNA DO WELL OOOO.

Anyway, this na another Saturday wey dey come so, it’s still 7:30pm on WapTV and this week e be like say na unto pepper soup things. Make una no miss am o. This Pepper soup is HOT! (literarily it is, I nearly choke…hahahahaha) meanwhile snippets of the show is already on You tube so just follow the link and like you know, I VALUE UNA COMMENT pass the Fufu and Banga soup wey dey my front right now.

So as e be as e be,  we go see on Saturday un top WapTV and  lest I forget, My dear Mrs. Joan Pfeifer, I got your mail and thank you so much for sharing this link with your Mum. Did you say she is in her 80’s again?? Waow! THANKS.

And to all of you my fellow foodaholics, abeg make una dey spread the news like bed spread till e reach everybody ear for Naija and obodo abroad, share the links and the gist becos for Foodies and Spice, we go chop and we go belle full.

LUV UNA WELL WELL OOOOOOO. Ehen! BARKA D’SALAH to all my musulumis…. (I got a fridge load of ram meat…. I am not exaggerating, can’t wait for the next EID EL’ KABIR)

Yours Geenaly

GEENA

My People and fellow Foodaholics

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you warmly to this blog. Borne out of a childhood dream of over 18 years and by the grace of Jehovah I am alive to see this dream come true. (Halleluyah *I no fit hide my identity*)

If there is any word like a Foodaholic, I am one. And I know so are a lot of Nigerian born kids both at home and in the diaspora (them born you see Jollof rice or Ogbono soup you come they form anorexia or bulimia?? Bone that thing!)

Anyway food is part of our way of life regardless of what part of the country we are from and in our differences, Foodies and Spice has created this online Forum not to only showcase our TV Cook show which will be premiering on WapTV (By the way, WapTV the Ogbonge Family Entertainment Channel na d Executive producer of this Cook show) in October but to also create an avenue for us to appreciate our Nigeria well, its foods especially, People (una wey go dey comment, dey enjoy d cooking dey critcise constructively, they teach us your style too and make the blog a fun blog) and culture. We go also dey showcase non Nigerian meals we have grown to love.

Moreover, this blog na everybody blog, u wan learn o, teach us o or just come here to phlendjor, u are highly welcomed. Anything wey u no even fit talk for here send am to my email address, I tanda for dia to kia kia answer you.……….And for those of una wey no sabi pidgin English, Try learn make you for fit they flow with me wellla, Nevertheless, If you read between the lines, you go understand…. *laugh don scatter my belle* (that simply means Laughing my fat @#%#@ out “LMFAO”)

I promise to make cooking, eating and hosting fun with God helping me. Till I write again very soon.

Stay tuned!

Yours Geenaly

Geena