I am Pioneer Woman

Once upon a time, there was a young woman who fancied herself a "city girl." City girl's have a busy social life and a demanding career. City girl's eat for convenience. City girl's wonder why anyone would consider making yogurt, cheese or granola from scratch. When hosting dinner parties, City girl's order take-out and put it on nice serving dishes, but never dirty a pot or pan. Yup, once upon a time that was me. I don't know that girl anymore. That girl has transformed in to Pioneer Woman.

Pioneer Woman makes everything from scratch. Pioneer Woman dreams of owning a self-sustaining home in the country and growing her own vegetables. I am Pioneer Woman.

I wanted to share with you a few of the things I have been making lately.

Navajo Tacos

This is something I grew up eating at special events in my hometown. When I told my family that I made Navajo Tacos. They asked, "you made Indian bread? How did you do that?"

Indian bread is a key ingredient in Navajo Tacos. In New Mexico, it was always something we would buy from a local vendor. Making it wasn't as difficult as one might think. Though on the first attempt I didn't get the consistency right, but by the second attempt I had it down.

In addition to the Indian bread, I also made the salsa from scratch. I had never done this before living overseas, but what makes it particularly difficult is that it must be done without any small kitchen appliances - no food processor, no standing or hand blender. Just the power of my arm, a knife, and kitchen shears. Yes, I used scissors to refine the texture of the salsa.

Other items that I made recently:

• 
  
  Black bean burgers (not from a box and warmed up; but mashed, seasoned and made in to patties then baked)
• 
  
  apple-cinamon muffins (not from a box with liquid added; but from raw ingredients blended and baked)
• 
  
  maple syrup (when making your own maple syrup, one quickly learns how much sugar is in syrup - thankfully I can control the sugar content when making it from scratch)

I am Pioneer Woman. Hear me roar.

What have you been making in your kitchen lately?
 
Sheri

affordable healthcare?

On March 23, 2010 the Affordable Health Care Act became law. It made international news (before, during and after). CNN called it "Making History."

After watching a town hall meeting on the topic, I posted my thoughts. I still feel the same way.

This is all ancient history. Why am I bringing it up now? It's already gone in the win column and the world has moved on. Right?

I am bringing it up because I don't think the "reform" fixed anything and my husband I encountered the problems that persist.

When living in Cambodia, Kenyon went to a kick-boxing class. He didn't have the right equipment, but he wanted to try it out. He hurt his wrist. Months later it still hurt. Medical care is difficult to come by in the developing world and good care is often very expensive. Kenyon has health insurance, but it only covers emergency medical evacuation and catastrophic illness. My employer only covers my health insurance and we couldn't afford the alternative. The insurance world doesn't know how to deal with the whole "international" thing - frankly, they panic.With or without insurance, Kenyon needed an x-ray.

While in Kansas City we visited the KC Free Clinic. Why? Well, the clue is in it's name...it's free. We had to call a day ahead of time and wait on the phone for a long time, but free is all we could afford. The free clinic has it's limitations, for instance they don't have an x-ray machine. They referred us to the state run hospital.

Since we cannot prove residency in any US state right now based on their residency rules we were not eligible for medical financial assistance. When we were told the price to run an x-ray our jaws dropped. Did we not mention we just came from the free clinic? Do you think we would have gone there if we had another choice?

Kenyon did not get an x-ray. His wrist still hurts.

I thought health care problem was fixed? Isn't that what all the hype was about? Am I missing something? Because from where I am sitting, I still see problems and would certainly not call health care affordable. Just sayin'...

Sheri

baking lesson: homemade cinnamon rolls

Since moving overseas I have gone through a transformation. Seriously. I am of the generation that does NOT cook. We buy prepacked sauces and foods. Open the package, add liquid, heat...wa-la dinner! Maybe every now and again I would cut some vegetables. That was before we moved overseas. Then all of a sudden I was thrust in to a world where no prepackaged foods were available, just raw ingredients.

I have become what my family calls "Pioneer Woman." I make everything from scratch...and I mean everything. Even our own maple syrup - though I had to order the maple flavoring online when we were in the US. I am still reluctant to call myself a cook as that is a label I have shunned for at least a couple of decades prior to now. Will this transformation continue when it is no longer necessary? That is still to be determined. But for now, this is our life. I will post some of the foods I've made in the coming days, but I wanted to share with you a baking lesson I received from The Intern.

The Intern came over on a Saturday to show me how to make cinnamon rolls. I've always been intimidated by this thing called yeast, so I just stayed away from it. Baking options are pretty limited if one avoids yeast. I had to overcome my fears.

Look at that beautiful blob of dough. I love my carbs, yes, I do. I love my carbs. How about you?

Swirly goodness. I can hardly wait to taste them fresh out of the oven.

Here they are being drizzled with icing. The three of us nearly ate a whole pan in one sitting. I haven't attempted this on my own, yet. When I do, I will let you know how they turned out. For now I just take some from Olivia from time to time.

Gone are the days of popping a can of Pilsbury. Welcome to the renaissance of pioneer living!

Waffles or cinnamon rolls are my favorite Saturday morning treat. What is yours?

Sheri

getting directions in Africa

"Drive until the road gets tired."

Tired? What does that mean? Apparently it means the pavement ends and dirt begins.

FAQ: visiting America?

Q: What is the best thing about visiting America?

Sure the wide variety of food options is fantastic, we do miss that when we are away. However, that isn't the best thing about visiting America. Not for this American living outside of our home country. The best thing about going home for me, was the ability to communicate, the ability to read, and the ability to understand. I know that at the end of many days I am exhausted and it isn't just the work load. It is that I am constantly trying to communicate, read and understand a language that is not my mother tongue - that I am only just learning. It takes a lot of energy to get through a day like that. It takes a lot of effort. The minute I got off the airplane in Atlanta and could understand the loudspeaker announcements, and easily read the signs, and strike up a conversation with anyone around me...at that moment I felt a burden lift. Ahhh, relief.

At the airport I actually found the interaction with the airline staff pleasant while reporting our lost luggage, because I didn't have to figure out how to explain all of this through broken words due to a limited vocabulary, using actions or pictures to fill in the gaps. I was simply able to say, "Our bags didn't arrive. They look like this. You can send them to this address." I expend less energy when I am able to communicate.

I also have a new found appreciation for the struggles of those who go through life illiterate. I am motivated to learn Portuguese partially so I can read the notices posted at our apartment. I often joke that at this point it could say they are fumigating at noon tomorrow, but we would be clueless because of our inability to fully understand the local language.

Once in Cambodia we had a group of folks over to play games. It was people from different countries, but they were all English speaking countries - America, Australia and England. One of the attendees prayed over our meal and said, "God, thank you for the opportunity to be in a room with people who speak English." Amen to that!!

I found my limited ability to understand Portuguese very irritating during the recent distrubances. The international news was hardly reporting the problem or events. The Embassy updates were outdated by the time I received them, I often read them and thought, "tell me something I don't already know." The best source for information was chatter on the street and the local news...all of which was in Portuguese. I would stare at the screen and strain my ears to pick up whatever I could. When the president spoke on the first night of rioting, I wanted desperately to understand his words as they would be very crucial to the outcome of events. I could not understand.

I called a colleague after the speech to ask what the President said. She laughed and said, "Sheri, no one knows what the President said." So, it ended up being one of those empty, political, pedantic speeches...but I still wish I could have understood the words.

So, count your blessings when you are able to greet a stranger and have them understand. When you can strike up a conversation while waiting in a public line. When you can read road signs, a newspaper, or an announcement posted in a public place. It is even a blessing to sit in a restaruant and be able to eavesdrop (listen in) on other conversations. In our daily lives, these things elude us. I did not realize the amount of energy spent as a result, until I returned home and suddenly the obstacle was removed and I was able to read, communicate and understand.

I have a deeper understanding of how effective the strategy of God was in Babylon by simply confusing the language of people.

Have you ever felt like a foreigner in a foreign land?

Sheri

an unwelcome new experience

Last week, while there were happy posts about birthday parties and shopping for African batiks we were living a difficult experience. What happened? Riots broke out in our city due to the rapidly rising cost of living, especially in Maputo.

It started with an announcement on Tuesday that the cost of food, water and power would be going up. In the few months we've lived here costs have been increasing consistently. Folks weren't happy. I understand their frustrations.

To some extent, I feel their pain. Maputo is the most expensive place I have ever lived. The rising costs have been difficult for us to absorb. Mozambique has a high percentage of unemployment. Even for those with jobs, the wages are often low. The decision makers seem unsympathetic. Our personal struggle with the cost of living has only increased my compassion for those with less resources.

By Tuesday evening friends started to send each other text messages, intiving one another to participate in demonstrations around town. Wednesday went from normal to chaotic very quickly as the demonstrations turned violent. The reports vary on the number dead, but everyone agrees that hundreds were injured. We heard gunfire regularly for two days. Rioting was an unwelcome new experience for me, it is one I would prefer to never experience again.

The weekend has been peaceful and even more quiet than usual. I am incredibly thankful that everyone we know is safe and unharmed. I pray the peace remains. There are rumors of more demonstrations in the coming days. I hope not. I pray for Mozambique. I pray the decision makers can come to a solution in the best interest of the people. Please join me in these prayers.

Sheri

making an interns day...

This is Olivia. She is interning with us for five months
and her birthday happened to fall in the time that she is away from family and friends.
It is on those special occassions that the distance seems the greatest.

So, we hosted a party in her honor at our apartment. (notice the bare walls I mentioned yesterday, lots of chairs, but bare walls)

 We served pizza (I mentioned earlier this week that pizza is available to us). We had three types: vegetarian, meat lovers and pepperoni.

 In lieu of cake (as this was a working day and none of us had time to bake one from scratch), we had birthday biscuits (known to American's as cookies) courtesy of a Dutch visitor.

 Does it really matter what the treat is as long as it is sweet, there are candles to blow out, and every one sings happy birthday? I don't think so. We did all of this with with enthusiasm. Kenyon even whooped and hollered at the end.

We wrapped up the night with a game of speed charades. Have you ever played? I just learned and LOVE it. This is Judith. She decided later that it was easier to stand than sit and charade.

Alexis already knew this trick. She's played before. Notice my one wall hanging in the background. I just had to point that out for the faithful readers.

At the beginning of the evening we asked Olivia what her most memorable birthday had been. She said a surprise party. I hope the next time she is asked that question she talks about the birthday she celebrated in Mozambique. Thanks to all of our new friends who helped to make this a wonderful celebration in honor of Olivia, you are welcome back any time if you just want to hang out.

Sheri

setting up house in Maputo

While we were visiting the US the wonderful Whitlock family moved back to the States for good. It is sad for us socially, but we did inherit some of their furnishings. Now that the place didn't feel quite so sterile and like we are just passing through I decided I needed to find something to hang on my bare walls. So, our first weekend back in Maputo I went with a girlfriend to the weekend market.

There are many goods to purchase - shirts and shoes, knickknacks and handbags, but I was looking for something particular. I was shopping for an African Batik. What's that?

A batik is a decorated fabric. The market has hundreds of them and lots of sellers willing to give a "special price." It was hard to choose and my special price wasn't so special so my budget could only allow for the purchase of one on this particular shopping trip.

This is the batik I selected. Why? How did I choose it? Well, it was very simple really. First, I like the colors. Second, elephants are the star of one of our fondest memories so far in Africa...remember our safari trip with the momma elephant? So, if I have to look at this everyday I wanted it to be something that made me smile. Also, when we leave here I wanted it connected with a memory of our time in Africa as I assume we will take it with us back to America.

Generally, these batik's are mounted on a wooden frame then hung on the wall like a painting. That's all well and good and can look rather nice. However, I don't have the resources (nor the connections) to get the wooden frame made and our walls are concrete so I don't have the tools to hang it. Thus, I used a very useful tool I learned in college...sticky tack. It isn't the prettiest solution, but I now have one wall in our living room that is no longer bare, though I do feel like I've regressed a good ten years.

When was the last time you hung something on the wall using sticky-tack?
 
Sheri

FAQ: deodorant - public health risk?

There is one blog post everyone back home was talking about. What was the hottest topic of all? The topic of body odor and the use (or lack of) deodorant where we live. The original post was about the expense of the product we use everyday.

Talking about this topic so much got me to thinking about why we use deodorant everyday. Do we do it for a public health reason or it purely vanity?

I did a google search on the public health benefits of deodorant. True to it's name it only serves one purpose - to cover or eliminate body odor. There were lots of articles about the toxic effects of using deodorant...just another way Americans unknowingly poison themselves. There are herbal varieties available to reduce the risks. Then I found this article that talks about the health benefits of body odor - that it is our bodies way of telling us whether we are eating things that are good for our bodies or bad for them.

Since I have no plans to give up animal products in the near future (I love cheese too much), I will continue my vanity routine of using deodorant. But, I have found this whole discussion interesting. Just another way living overseas has changed my perspective about things I used to consider "normal."

Sheri

F.A.Q. (frequently asked questions)

While we were home in America there were some questions we were asked quite a few times. Since there seemed to be common questions, I thought this may be stuff the rest of you were wondering too and hadn't asked. So, I am going to answer them here for your reading pleasure.

Q: what do you miss most? what is the hardest thing about living overseas?

S: Relationships are the hardest thing and what I miss most. I don't like the distance between me and those I love. Making new friends isn't easy on the other side of the world - there are language difficulties, cultural differences, we are all consumed by work because that is our reason for being here, and this life is transient. People come, people go. So, going deep is difficult as most people you meet are counting down until they return "home." Sometimes it doesn't seem worth all the effort to try and overcome the distance and time difference with old friends, or the energy it takes to keep making and saying good-bye to new friends. I wrote a little about this in an earlier post, but I expect it will be an ongoing challenge.

K: Safety is the hardest thing about living overseas and what I miss most about America. We are constantly concerned for our safety. We often don't go out after dark. We make sure we know where the other one is at all times. We have the number of the US Embassy programmed in our phone just in case, because you never know what can happen.

Q: What is African food like?

S: Well, there really isn't one "African" cuisine. Each country has it's own unique flavors. In Mozambique, they eat a lot of seafood because it is readily available being on the coast. A lot of beans and rice. The beef is usually imported from South Africa and is of good quality. Pizza is available. We mostly eat at home and cook. Fast or convenient food isn't readily available. The only "chain" restaurant available that an American would recognize is KFC. The chicken is different than in the US, but they do have an excellent ice cream sundae. I know because Kenyon ordered one once and I ate it all...I couldn't help myself. Why? because it is a rarety to find decent dessert. Even if cake is available, it isn't sweet like an American would expect it to be. We eat a lot more fresh vegetables, no processed foods, and a whole lot less sugar...essentially, we eat healthier in Africa than we did living in the US.

I hope you enjoyed this installment of FAQ's. Feel free to ask any question you are wondering. As I think of (or receive) them I will post more Q & A.

Sheri

ahhh, food. glorious food.

One of the things we missed about living in the USA is the food. We ate plenty of it on our recent visit. Just about every meeting with friends or family involved eating. I joked that when I returned to Africa they were going to tell me, "Sheri, you put on weight!" Usually, in this part of the world that is meant as a compliment. I did put on weight, just under 5 lbs. I enjoyed every bite...and the ice cream every day, too. Here are photos from some of our tasty treats. Yes, I take pictures of everything - food included.

back in Africa

In the past few weeks we have been in four states (New Mexico, Virginia and Kansas/Missouri) for a few days each. We had a great time visiting family and friends at each stop. Sadly, we did not get to see everyone we wanted to see and it was difficult to say good-bye.

We had a sweet welcome back to Africa. Some of the staff had come over and made sure our place was clean, stocked our fridge with food and left us flowers with a note. They even provided us dinner the first night in country, I was overwhelmed by their kindness.

I have already returned to work. Over the coming days I will post picutres of our visit to the USA and begin to post again about our life in Mozambique. I hope you are enjoying the remaining days of summer.

Sheri

This is Africa: 4th of July

Yes, we can even celebrate American holidays in Africa. Thanks to the US Embassy and the American school for a fabulous 4th of July party!

I haven't seen so much red, white and blue in a VERY long time.

There were flags in flower pots.

Uncle Sam with a face that looks a lot like mine, saying, "We want you!"

We met up with the wonderful Whitlocks.

Had some fun at the face painting booth.

Then came the games. Tug-of-war.

Volleyball.

All in all, it was a great celebration. It put us in a great mood to return to our homeland for a few weeks. God bless America. Land that we love.

What did you do this 4th of July?

dragon breath

I've had a hacking cough for something like four weeks. It drained me of energy. It made me irritable. I wanted it to end. One of my colleagues at work gave me a concoction to eat to "help with the cough." Everyone at work probably was tired of hearing it and worried it was contagious.

It was onions, garlic, lemon juice and some sugar. Wow, it was potent! I was supposed to take a bite every 30 minutes or so. It did clear up the cough, which was interesting to me. But, it had a side effect that I titled "dragon breath." I didn't want to speak with anyone as I was sure the odor coming out of my mouth was something horrific.

Home remedies, what are yours?

NOTE: the next day I also had a strange odor coming out of my skin. I guess it can act as a cough remedy and repellent - a two for one!

Portuguese + Spanish (Espanol) = Portanol

We have started language lessons. We are currently in the basic greeting stage of learning.

Hello. How are you? Where are you from? or what is your nationality? What is your profession? I speak English. I am from America. I am the Deputy Country Director. I am a student of Portuguese. I am well, thank you.

These are the things we can now say and understand in Portuguese. I am finding this Spanish connection more difficult than expected. Spanish words come out when I don't mean them to. My teacher said there are people who end up speaking Portanol - a combination of Portuguese and Spanish (Espanol). I am coming to believe that I will be one of those people.

In New Mexico, most speak a combination of Spanish and English - known as Spanglish.

I wonder if I can put these hybrid languages on a resume? I am not really fluent in anything, just a hodge-podge of a few languages.

What languages do you speak?

Saddness

Received an email from my mom. My great grandma Rodriguez died. We will be in America, New Mexico specifically, in less than two weeks. I was hoping to see her. Especially since I missed her 100 year birthday. It is times like this living overseas, so far from home, is almost unbearable.
--
Sent from my mobile device

over lunch...

The other day over lunch the staff and I were having a conversation about cultures and the impact on worldview and attitudes. It came up that all of the staff think it is odd that my husband helps with household chores. I am told an African man would never be seen cleaning or doing laundry.

A few weeks ago I was in Kenya and a similar conversation occurred where the African men, one of them well in to his 50's, said they had never served themselves food or fetched something from the kitchen - that was women's work. They always had mothers, sisters, wives or daughters to do this for them. I asked what happens if a woman isn't home? Do they starve?

The answer was, "No. We ask the helper."

Remember, most middle class households in the developing world have hired help in their home.

African men think I should feel ashamed if my husband helps with laundry. African women think it is a great example to African men.  I heard that on TV in Mozambique they have started airing commercials about men helping with dishes, cleaning and cooking in the home - like a Public Service Announcement (PSA). I haven't seen it, because I can't understand most of what's on the television as they speak very fast Portuguese.

The lunch conversation was interesting. I am glad we have established enough trust to have such conversations.

What do you think? Should men help with household chores or is that women's work?

Interesting International Facts: Kingpin Law

Did you know?

In 1999, the US Government enacted a law known as the Kingpin Law. I'd never heard of it until recently. Essentially, the Kingpin Law is aimed at drug traffickers. It targets business interests and restricts access to the US financial system for those identified as drug traffickers. If you're interested, you can read about the designation act here. This summary states: "The Kingpin Act authorizes the President to take these actions [sanctions] when he determines that a foreign person plays a significant role in international narcotics trafficking."

Recently, President Obama gave this designation to a prominent business family in Mozambique. I found out through an email from the embassy. That was the first time I heard of this law. There were three businesses listed and an announcement that American citizens are advised against using these businesses and federal dollars (NGO dollars) are forbidden from being spent with these companies. One of them is the Maputo Shopping Center. There is a movie theatre, restaurants, a grocery store and the best electronics available at this shopping center. Basically, there are things we are looking for that we have only found available there. Since we were advised by our government to sanction these businesses, we have not returned. Which means, living in the developing world, we have further limited our access to goods and services.

I read an email today, that at least one of the businesses, a taxi company in a province we work in, is seriously struggling since the sanctions were put in place. NGO's who had contracts for drivers have looked for these services elsewhere. Losing lucrative NGO contracts was a huge loss to them financially and the taxi business is not expected to make it to the end of the year.

Will this change the actions of the drug trafficker? I don't know. What are your thoughts on sanctions?

I can tell you, from current experience, it does take some effort on this end to comply with the request of my homeland.

Deodorant. A luxury item?

One of the things we took for granted in our old life (the life in the developed world) is the accessiblilty to inexpensive, and sometimes free, deodorant (or other hygiene products). We have noticed the lack of it. I don't have to tell you how we noticed. Kenyon says sometimes the smell is so bad it makes his head hurt.

The first time I went to the store to buy deodorant in Maputo, I understood why it is rarely used. The cost is ridiculously expensive in comparision to what I am used to paying. I came home and told Kenyon the price. We agreed that at that cost, it would easily be considered a luxury item. If I had to choose between deodorant or food, my choice is clear, it would NOT be the roll-on anti-perpirant!

So, the next time you are at the store buying your roll-on, remember there are some places in this world that only the wealthy can afford such a luxury item. Be thankful for your blessings!

Haircut - Mozambique style

I think I could fill a whole photo album of pictures of Kenyon getting a haircut. There is the photo in Jamaica from our cruise vacation. That event made the top ten list for our second year wedding anniversary. He still talks about it.

Then there is the haircut in Virginia.

Since I already have a theme going, why not add to it? Here is a photo taken on my blackberry documenting Kenyon's first haircut in Mozambique. At this baber shop, they even provide a head massage. Nice!