The City of Chag

New opportunities for wanna-be Home-Owners

The bustling Chaguanas "city centre."

As early as 1999, Chaguanas was given the distinction of being Trinidad’s fastest growing town. Today, 15 years later, all of Central Trinidad, and even parts of South and East Trinidad - from Talparo to Rio Claro - look towards Chaguanas as their “city” even though local government authorities have not officially granted it long-overdue city status.

Two Christmases ago, a news article reported that there were more shoppers and vendors in Chaguanas than in Arima, and even though traders complained of slow sales, people in South Trinidad were leaving the South to shop in Central. Chaguanas business-owners now boast that theirs is the main shopping district in Trinidad, and they are not wrong.

Initially, Chaguanas grew mainly as a “dormitory” suburb as housing costs escalated, and working people in Port of Spain and the East-West Corridor sought cheaper land and houses.

But today, Chaguanas has become a pillar of growth in itself, as hundreds of business sprang up and expanded over the last 15 years to serve this rapidly growing community. The result: more businesses, more jobs, and non-stop growth.

The amount of available land is also a plus for the burgeoning city. The closure of Caroni (1975) Limited –a move criticized by many – is turning out to be a blessing, as thousands of acres have been freed up, providing land for housing, and food-crop farming in the outlying areas.

These large tracts of flat and gently rolling lands surrounding Chaguanas make for easy and rapid expansion of the city, unlike Port of Spain, hemmed in by mountains on the North and the sea on the south. Chaguanas is expected to continue growing, and could easily become the country’s largest city (both in area and population) within the next 10 years.

While land prices have escalated in the last seven or eight years, driven by ever-increasing demand for housing, rents and price tags on new and older properties are still within the reach of the average working person.

However, there are fears that real estate prices will continue to rise in Chaguanas and environs, as the Central city is within commuting distance to new business growth areas in North, Central, and South Trinidad.

This has prompted many a real estate agent to urge client to buy as soon as possible, a call that many have heeded, as many new houses and apartment buildings are going up despite the cooling of the construction boom that started a few years ago.

Some prospective home-owners are also seeing hope, as government has re-started several stalled housing development projects.

 New housing construction in the Borough of Chaguanas

Do it now! Get active –

get fit!

This is the first in a series of articles on Personal Appearance, Fitness, Health, Beauty, and Hair Care. The articles consist of advice taken from what was once known as the consumers’ Bible: The Encyclopedia of Household Hints and Dollar-Stretchers (EHHDS) written by Michael Gore and published in 1977 Doubleday. Most of the decades-old advice in the EHHDS is still relevant today.

 This first article will focus on the importance of regular exercise, good posture, and relaxation to the health, appearance, and general well being of any individual.

According to the EHHDS, exercising outdoors on a regular basis is vital for getting blasts of much needed fresh air necessary for good health and appearance: It improves circulation and muscle tone, keeps figures trim, and increases overall vitality.” In other words, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Whether you like team activities in the company of other family members or friends, or you are more of an individualist, there is a wide range of activities that you can include in your after-work or weekend schedules to get much needed exercise. Tennis, golf, cycling, hiking, running, badminton, volleyball, and the list of activities goes on and on. There is no shortage of activities to choose from, so there must be one or two that any person would find interesting.

While some people take to physical activity the way a duck takes to water, it is safe to say that most people have some difficulty incorporating this important aspect into their otherwise busy lifestyles.

However, excuses and procrastination must be overcome, and the sooner the better. The EHHDS suggest that you find out if there is a YWCA or YMCA in your community centre. Even if there is no YM-YWCA, chances are that there would be some sort of organized physical activity at the Community Centre.

If you have the will-power, simply start jogging, running, or hiking two or three times a week, land you can even ask others in the neighborhood to join you. Before you know it, you would have founded an informal club with fellow-members to motivate each other. Start today. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose – except the unwanted pounds.

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Vaio laptop recall

Battery fire risk sparks Vaio laptop recall

By SHELDON OSBORNE

If you are reading this article on a Sony Vaio Fit 11A laptop, you should worry, after all, its one thing to have a hot laptop sitting uncomfortably on your lap, but for that laptop to ignite and burn its user is another matter.

Last Friday, Sony urged customers who purchased the new model of its Vaio computers to stop using them as soon as possible over fears they could catch fire while in use.

In the latest product problem for the troubled electronics group, the company is notifying owners of the Vaio Fit 11A, which launched in February, that their computers may have a faulty battery pack that is at risk of overheating and igniting. A formal recall is being implemented.

According to an article published on April 11 in the UK Guardian, the computer manufacturer said it had shipped 25,905 of the Vaio Fit 11A in 52 countries since its launch, including 7,158 in Europe, 2,088 in China, 3,619 in Japan and 497 in the US.

Sony said three PCs had caught on fire around the battery pack, which was manufactured by Panasonic Corp.

The three incidents occurred in Japan, Hong Kong, and in China. All units were immediately pulled from store shelves. The batteries in question were made by Panasonic. A spokesperson from Panasonic told the Wall Street Journal that the company could not provide details about other computer manufacturers that may have received the same Panasonic batteries, but assured the paper that the batteries are customized for the needs of each client.

On its website, Sony issued this Press Release warning customers to immediately stop using the laptops:

“It has come to our attention that some of the internal, non-removable battery packs provided to us by a third party supplier and included in VAIO Fit 11A released in February 2014 have the potential to overheat resulting in partial burns to the housing of the PC. If you have one or more of the VAIO Fit11A/Flip PC model listed below, please immediately discontinue use, shut down and unplug the PC. We are currently identifying affected PCs by serial numbers and developing a program to repair or replace the affected PCs at no charge, or to refund the purchase price for the affected PCs, in accordance with the program. We expect to post a program announcement with details within two weeks. In the meantime, as safety is our primary concern, we ask again that you please refrain from using the below-listed model until you further hear from us in the program announcement. [Target models] VAIO Fit 11A 
Personal Computer”


The only model number listed is “SVF11N13CXS”.

One on-line publication noted that it isn’t the company’s first battery-related recall. In 2006, Sony had to recall battery packs that it had produced for several other PC manufacturers. Then, in 2010 the company was forced to recall nearly 535,000 Vaio laptops when a temperature-control issue caused overheating and structural distortion to the laptop itself.

The company mentioned an impending program announcement for more information about the recall program. If you own a new Vaio laptop, keep an eye on the company’s Support Page for an announcement.

Canned fish: Safe and tasty too!

Super-convenient canned seafood: better than fresh?

Canned fish are fish which have been processed, sealed in an airtight container such as a sealed tin can, and subjected to heat. Canning is a method of preserving food, and provides a typical shelf life ranging from one to five years.

Fish have a low acidity at levels where microbes can flourish. From a public safety point of view, foods with low acidity (a pH more than 4.6) need sterilization under high temperature (116-130 °C). To achieve temperatures above the boiling point requires a method ofpressurized cooking which is provided by the containment within the can.^[1] After sterilization, the containing can prevents microorganisms from entering and proliferating inside. Other than sterilization, no method is perfectly dependable as a preservative. For example, the microorganism Clostridium botulinum (which causes botulism), can only be eliminated at temperatures above the boiling point.

Such preservation techniques are needed to prevent fish spoilage and lengthen shelf life. They are designed to inhibit the activity of spoilage bacteria and the metabolic changes that result in the loss of fish quality. Spoilage bacteria are the specific bacteria that produce the unpleasant odours and flavours associated with spoiled fish.

(Wikipedia)

Mercury alert: Is canned tuna safe to eat?

The tuna sandwich is a lunchbox staple. But several species of tuna, like other large ocean fish, contain higher-than-average amounts of mercury.This is of particular concern for young children, whose nervous system, brain, heart, kidneys and lungs are all susceptible to the harmful effects of mercury.

But parents and kids need not give up tuna altogether. There are two main kinds of canned tuna: chunk light and solid or chunk white (albacore). Most canned white tuna is albacore. Its mercury levels are almost three times higher than the smaller skipjack, used in most canned light tuna.

These recommendations are based on EPA guidance and estimates of mercury in the most popular canned tunas:

·         Canned white, or albacore (0.32 parts per million of mercury). Children under six can eat up to one 3-ounce portion a month; children from 6–12, two 4.5-ounce portions a month. Adults, including pregnant women, can safely eat it up to three times a month (women, 6-ounce portions; men, 8-ounce portions).

·         Canned light — the safer choice (0.12 parts per million of mercury). Children under six can eat up to three 3-ounce portions per month. Older children and adults can safely eat it once a week. But look out for “gourmet” or “tonno” labels. They are made with bigger yellowfin tuna and can contain mercury levels comparable to canned white.

·         A better alternative is canned salmon (mostly sockeye or pink from Alaska), which is low in contaminants and high in heart-healthy omega-3s. It's also sustainably caught in Alaska and similarly priced, making it a great choice all around.

Keep an eye on school lunches. If your child eats tuna in school lunches, it's best to find out what types are being offered and how often.
A study by the Mercury Policy Project in the US found a wide range of mercury levels in both light and white tuna from government sponsored school lunch programs. Some of the canned albacore/white tuna tested had mercury levels almost four times the average level reported by US-FDA.

5 canned fish choices

5 Canned Fish You Should Be Eating

By Matthew G. Kadey, M.Sc., R.D., Runner's World

YOU know fish is good for you. "It's a rich source of protein and healthy fats," says Cassie Dimmick, M.S., R.D., a sports dietitian in Springfield, Missouri. But that doesn't mean you eat it: 48 percent of respondents to a runnersworld.com poll said they eat seafood only occasionally and usually at restaurants. What's the problem? If fresh fish seems inconvenient, expensive, and hard to prepare, you're forgetting about a handy option: canned swimmers. In many ways canned fish is a better choice. Multiple common varieties offer less-expensive, better-tasting products naturally low in toxins and contaminants and, as a bonus, harvested in an environmentally sustainable way. Shelf-stable and already cooked, canned fish is there when you're ready for a protein-rich recovery meal. Try these tasty meal suggestions below.

CAN DO: Sardines
Sardines provide a dose of omega-3s, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. "Studies show vitamin D may enhance athletic performance and even help prevent diabetes," says Kimball. A 2012 study suggests getting plenty of D can help reduce your risk of catching a bug. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch lists sardines as a "best choice," thanks to its nutritional might, sustainability, and low toxin risk. If eating the calcium-rich bones isn't your thing, you can buy ones without. Stick to fish packed in heart-healthy olive oil (not poor quality vegetable oils), or save calories by choosing those in water or tomato sauce.

TRY THIS: Sardine Penne with Prosciutto
Combine 1 pound cooked whole-wheat penne, three 4-ounce tins sardines (chop them), 2 ounces diced prosciutto, 2 cups sliced cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, and 1 tablespoon fresh thyme. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, juice of 1/2 lemon, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes. Toss dressing with pasta and garnish with Parmesan.

CAN DO Tuna
If you've steered clear of tuna in recent years because of its mercury content, you can put this fish back on the menu. New canning companies, including Wild Planet and Raincoast Trading, pack smaller albacore tuna, which means these fish have had less time to accumulate mercury (other brands that pack larger albacore still carry high levels of this toxin). Both companies also test for mercury content and harvest their fish using environmentally friendly methods. While canned skipjack (or "chunk light") tuna has always been a low-mercury option, meatier-tasting albacore contains four times more omega-3s. A four-ounce serving of tuna also packs 32 grams of muscle-building protein--as much as a similarly sized chicken breast.

TRY THIS: Tuna Salad with Parsley Dressing
Toss together 4 cups baby spinach, two 5-ounce cans drained albacore tuna, 1 can rinsed cannellini beans, 1 diced avocado, 1 sliced red pepper, 1 diced cucumber, 1 chopped orange, and 1/2 cup sliced red onion. In a food processor, pulse 1 bunch parsley leaves, 1/3 cup olive oil, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve tuna salad with parsley dressing. 

CAN DO: Anchovies
This tiny, silvery fish has a robust, savory flavor. The canned or jarred fillets are a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fats and rich in selenium. "There is some research suggesting selenium helps with joint health," says Molly Kimball, R.D., a sports dietitian in New Orleans, "and omega-3 fats can help fight inflammation." Anchovies are also an excellent source of niacin, which the body uses to convert food into energy. Quick to reproduce, wild anchovy populations are healthy and there is little contamination risk. The fish is often salt-cured and packed in olive oil, which makes them ideal after a sweaty run when you need electrolytes (or to eliminate some of the salt, soak them in water for 30 minutes and pat dry with paper towels).

TRY THIS: Anchovy and Olive Pizza
Brush whole-wheat pitas with oil. Broil for two minutes, until golden. Spread pizza sauce on top. Sprinkle with chopped anchovies (4 per pita), sliced kalamata olives, sliced artichoke hearts, red pepper flakes, and shredded mozzarella. Broil one minute, or until cheese melts. Garnish with basil.

CAN DO: Crab
Canned crab meat is a great way to reel in muscle-friendly protein, bone-building phosphorus, and the mineral zinc. In fact, just three ounces provide nearly a quarter of your daily need. "Zinc is necessary for many functions that are essential to runners," says Dimmick, "including protein metabolism and immune function." The best brands of lump or white crab meat will have a firm texture and a clean, light flavor--and no fishy scent. Jumbo lump crab meat comes from the large muscles that drive the crab's swimming legs, giving it a meatier texture and earning it a more expensive price tag worthy of the occasional splurge.

TRY THIS: Crab and Black Bean Tacos
Whisk 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 teaspoon curry powder, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne. In another bowl, stir two 6-ounce cans crab, one 15-ounce can rinsed black beans, and one cubed mango. Spread on tortillas. Top with baby spinach and curry yogurt. Eat taco-style.

CAN DO: Salmon
Canned salmon is one of the richest sources of the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA. "These fats decrease heart-disease risk and improve bone strength," says Dimmick, "which may help runners avoid stress fractures." They're also an excellent source of protein and vitamin D. Some canned salmon comes with the bones, which are soft and edible and provide calcium-but boneless varieties are available for the squeamish. Either canned pink salmon or sockeye is a good bet. The former is less expensive, while the latter contains 65 percent more vitamin D and 35 percent more omega-3s. Both are mainly harvested from sustainable wild stocks in Alaska.

TRY THIS: Avocado Salmon Cakes
Mix two 6-ounce cans salmon, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/3 cup milk, 1 shredded zucchini, and 2 teaspoons curry powder. Stuff into 8 greased muffin cups. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. In a food processor, puree 1 avocado, 1/2 cup yogurt, juice of 1 lime, 1 teaspoon wasabi, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve salmon cakes with avocado sauce.

Canned vs Fresh for Lent

Canned vs Fresh

CANNED fish has been a part of Caribbean cuisine since the art of canning was first developed in the mid-1800s to preserve perishable foodstuff. The Lenten seasons usually creates an increased demand for fish - preferably fresh fish - But that increase in demand usually leads to higher prices.
This year, there is an even bigger price increase due to the oil spill that polluted large fishing grounds in the Gulf of Paria. The resulting shortage is also impacting prices of fresh fish, and leading many to turn towards canned fish, a commodity that is less subject to demand and supply pricing, and, with creative meal planning, can be just as nutritious and delicious as fresh fish dishes.

Caribbean reefs under attack by predatory lionfish

People across The Caribbean and in nearby areas of North, Central, ans South America are being urged to include the lionfish in their menus. There are some compelling reasons:

by Christopher Pala

NASSAU, The Bahamas, Friday February 28, 2014, IPS  - THE lionfish, with its striking russet and white stripes and huge venomous outrigger fins, wasn't hard to spot under a coral reef in 15 feet of clear water. Nor was it a challenge to spear it.As I approached and brought the point of my Hawaiian sling to within a foot of it, it simply looked back, utterly fearless until I pierced it and brought it back to the surface.

Within a half-hour, we had caught four of these gorgeous one-pound fish, and the fillets made excellent eating that night.

But the arrival of a tasty, abundant and easy-to-shoot fish on the Caribbean's much-depleted coral reefs is anything but good news. A recent scientific paper brought new detail to previous studies, showing that a year after colonising a reef, lionfish reduced the number of native fish by about half.

"They'll eat just about anything they can swallow and almost nothing eats them," said principal author Stephanie Green of Oregon State University. That's why they're so easy to catch, she explained.

However tasty they may be, only a miniscule fraction of the invaders has been removed, while their numbers continue to grow exponentially, reaching densities never seen in the Pacific, their native habitat.

This suggests the lionfish, believed to have been introduced to the Atlantic coast by aquarium lovers in the 1980s, will likely wipe out most Caribbean reef fish in a decade or two, scientists agree. As a result, many corals that depend on herbivore fish will die and eventually turn to rubble, making shorelines more vulnerable to waves just as global warming is lifting sea levels.

Read more: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/bahamas_news/1107119.html#ixzz2ur5FWH6c