The World's Grossest Foods!

Various parts of the world just celebrated Christmas, which also means yummy food! However, some people worldwide have a taste for things most of us wouldn’t even consider; insects, rodents and even stuff a person would throw in the garbage when cooking! Yes, I’m being deadly serious here and if you wish to know more, I’ve highlighted six of the grossest foods I could find below.

1. Tripe – Various Countries
Many of us have heard of tripe and just as many have not. What it is in its most basic form is the lining of a cow’s stomach. However, in countries such as South Africa, tripe is a whole lot more than that. Here (in South Africa) traditional tripe is taken a step further in a dish that is known as offal. This type of tripe (or offal) not only consists of stomach lining but the animals feet, intestines and head as well!

2. Tuna Eyeballs – Japan
When visiting Japan be sure to pop into a grocery store to feast your eyes on this scary “delicacy” in the fish section. Some say they do not taste bad, and liken them to the flavours of hard-boiled eggs. Tuna eyeballs are traditionally cooked by Japanese chefs as an appetizer but I must say I don’t find the concept appetizing in the least.

3. Locusts – Israel
In around 2013 the craze of eating locusts started in Israel. It seems what lead to this, was bit of a modern day locust plague in the area. Some like them fried and crunchy, others like them dipped in chocolate, all I know is I don’t like them at all!

4. Rats – Various Countries
Again we have one of the grossest things imaginable, considered to be a “delicacy” in many countries, including Indonesia. Some say roasted rats on a stick are their ultimate favourites, others swear it truly does taste like chicken, but all I can say is barf.

5. Fried Spider – Cambodia
If you thought eating rats and locusts were bad, think about frying up a spider and eating that! It is such a big hit in Cambodia, one could even consider it somewhat of a national dish!

6. Mopani Worms – South Africa
Yet again good old South Africa hits the list with number six. The Mopani worm is actually the larva stage of the emperor moth. These worms are named after the leaves they eat and are commonly fried up with peanuts, onions, chillies and tomatoes. I couldn’t tell you what they taste like because I have really never had any interest in trying them.
And there you have it, six of the grossest “foods” imaginable. Feeling hungry yet?

Debbie Nel

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Cultural Life(style): Mehndi - Can your traditions kill you?

As everyone knows, Mehndi has a role in most Indian rituals, festivals and ceremonies. Mehndi is primarily applied/ done with henna and what many people don't realise is that henna contains a small percentage of an agent called Lawsone, which is very bad news substance.

But just what is Lawsone? This is the question many of you are probably asking right now. Lawsone is "(2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), also known as hennotannic acid, which is a red-orange dye that is present in the leaves of the henna plant" - source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Lawsone. Okay, so why is it important to know that henna contains a substance called Lawsone and why is this Lawsone substance dangerous anyway? Well the answer is quite simple, Lawsone is in fact linked to the production of cancer cells. Yes you read correctly, your Mehndi traditions can give you cancer!

I am sure most of you are shocked after reading the above since henna has always been seen as being a super safe product due to the fact that it is natural. It is just for this reason that people are not aware of the risks associated with it. In fact due to its risks, it is not only users of Mehndi tattoos that should be wary but everyone that dyes their hair with products containing henna as well.

So called black henna is especially dangerous to one's health because it is often just a normal, dangerous dye/chemical disguised and marketed as pure henna, even though it is not henna at all! This type of "henna" can cause severe skin burns which often result in horrid blisters and bad scarring.

Always make sure of the source of the henna products used on you to ensure that they are indeed real henna and natural. Then again since natural henna contains dangerous Lawsone, the best would be to avoid all henna products entirely for the sake of your own health. Safe alternatives do exist and included substances such as Jagua, which is a safe extract from a fruit known as Genipa Americana (source: https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Jagua_Tattoo). For an extensive list of other safe henna alternatives, just do an internet search regarding the topic.

To all those who read this article, please inform all your loved ones of the risks involved when it comes to using henna.

Keep safe

DebNelV

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Religious Life(style): Don't over-commercialise Diwali

Let me just start off by saying happy Diwali to all its followers! May this be the most memorable one yet for you, no matter how you choose to celebrate it.                                                                         

As we all know, Diwali is a season for commemorating the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It is a magical time filled with the most amazing celebrations and festivities. A time for cleaning out the old and bringing in the new. A time for being thankful and for giving.                                                                       

However, in the last few years the tradition of gift giving has turned into a majorly commercialised event, with people spending a fortune on gifts whilst losing sight along the way of the true meaning of the custom.

It is true that "new" is a big feature of Diwali practices, rituals and traditions, but expense need not be. In fact too many holy days have turned into huge spending sprees, making those who fall into these expenditure traps, lose more than just money along the way. 

Why not break away from the practices of the masses and make this Diwali one which exhibits the true meanings behind this, the most sacred of Hindu holidays? It is easier than you think as all you really need to do is control how much you spend, and put some thought into gift giving, by giving gifts to those dear to you of a more personal and significant nature. 

For instance you could rather give your sister a nice box filled with childhood memories (items from both your childhood days), than a new cell/mobile phone. It is true that the cell/mobile phone would make a great gift, but it will not make a memory. All it will make is a hole in your pocket/wallet and someone else happy for a split second in time. Think creatively and meaningfully when planning the gifts you are going to give, instead of just running out to the shops and spending obscene amounts of money. 

How about the new clothes you are going to buy? The idea of expensive, lavish outfits sounds amazing, but wouldn't buying beautiful material and having your grandmother make you something beautiful and new hold more meaning for you in the end? 

Meaning is the keyword to focus on during the time of Diwali, so remember to light your diyas in celebration and be filled with the spirit of the season. Just be careful of setting your wallet alight in the process.  

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