A healthy salad accompanied by roasted or chilled chicken -
Rosemary Parkinson, Contributor
LEAVE NORMA Shirley, the 'Grand Dame' of Caribbean cuisine, for a few minutes, and she comes up with another extraordinary idea. She is fighting her own battle with diabetes and seeing many of her closest friends afflicted. She understands the full horror of the increasing problem of this dreaded disease, and is more than aware of the unhealthy lifestyle so many of us lead. She knows that in the corporate world, too many Jamaicans have turned to fast food rather than face the traffic for lunch.
So, Norma Shirley is making it easy for those in need of a change. She is ensuring that if you opt for health, you can make the transition in a most dignified, special, beautiful, exquisite way, and more importantly, without having to move an inch.
With the use of the traditional Japanese Bento design, hand-made locally by a fine Jamaican carpenter, whose obvious quest for perfection is shown in every box, Norma has created a delightful package that arrives ready to eat at your desk, home, conference room, seminar - even your preferred fitness club, oozing with delight and pure satisfaction. There's no styrofoam or plastic here either. Each meal comes on specially designed glass plates with utensils and napkins fit for a king or queen! Kingston has never seen anything like it and already those who have got on the bandwagon are seeing the benefits of eating healthy.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL
Using her background of years in the nursing and nutrition field, years of producing meals that fuse traditional Caribbean food using colour and design that imitate island vibes and the inviting personalities of its people, Norma has put together choices of salads and pastas with their own specific dressings accompanied by her notorious garlic bread, if you so desire. There's vegetarian (naturally) and for those who will not give up the joys of a good piece of meat, this can be added happily. Scrumptious grilled or roasted chicken, beef - even pork, if, like me, this great white meat continues to pack a punch for the palate. Slices of marlin, plump shrimp, chunks of fish of the day, choices of cheeses are all on the menu. In her inimitable way, Norma does not force you to stop just there - healthy desserts such as fruit salads, stuffed rose apples or any of the fruits in season for that matter, are available too.
Oh! Yes! In the immortal words of Carly Simon's song "All you have to do is call and I'll be there, be there. You've got a freh-end." The boxes arrive pretty, sweet, tied with ribbons made specifically with a glorious gift in mind. All you have to do is eat, enjoy and be satisfied by great clean food. Now, what a better present to give someone on his or her birthday, anniversary or even just for so; what a heart-warming punch for your boss or a miserable colleague (and we all have them); what a better way to make your day, say I. And what does Norma have to comment? "I want to make a conscientious effort to improve the health of my clients, especially in the Corporate Area, and at the same time to purchase as much as I can from local farmers, bearing in mind that I prefer organic all the way. I love sending out each and every box, I feel that I am giving back something positive to Jamaica." Way to go Miss Shirls. "This box is not about a heavy, stodgy meal that makes you fall asleep at the desk. This is about an invigorating plate that helps you to just feel good; and don't you think that with all the stresses of our lives these days, we really need that boost of goodness?" Oh! Yes! We do, Miss Norma. "I take orders in advance, but the latest for delivery on the same day would be about 9:00 a.m. We deliver everything free, collecting the boxes and utensils when done. So with say J$1,500/1,800 depending on your desires, health is on your doorstep. Just call (876)577 8786."
GREAT DEVON HOUSE NEWS
From this coming weekend onwards, every Friday and Saturday, Devon House's lawns will be filled with a farmers' market. There's no more stress of the indoor supermarket at prices that exceed one's imagination. Now there's shopping Paris, London and New York stylee, their street markets having created the place to be on weekends. Now the great bounty of our land will be showcased and young farmers who are beginning the new trend of exotics will be there; those who have been tilling the land for years, also. I hear of sweet peppers that are huge in red, orange and purple, if you please. I got wind of herbs and spices. I listened to whispers of home-made products. I hope that prices will also be in keeping with a real farmers' market and that this venture by those who we as a people need to help in every little way we can, is as successful as it should be. Congratulations Devon House! At last you are going to be the centre of exciting happenings; at last your heritage is going to be vindicated.
Marlin makes for a healthy, clean lunch.
Simply delicious pasta salad.
There's nothing more divine than a gift of food.
