Where He leads...: November 2014

(This is a post I wrote for FHM's blog.) Many Haitian dishes are not complete without "pikliz". I'm a Southern gal and cole slaw is a common side dish where I'm from. Well, pikliz looks similar to cole slaw but less creamy and a lot more spicy! Haitians use it as a relish to spice up their dish, taking as much as they want to add some flavor and zing to their rice, meat, and veggies. It's commonly eaten with fried pork and fried plantains—one of my favorite dishes! I love eating it on top of fried plantains, fried breadfruit, fried sweet potatoes, fried akra... you get the drift. :)

Here's the basic recipe, though you can find many variations online.

1/2 medium head of green cabbage
2 large carrots
1 oz shallots
1/4 cup onions
3 thinly sliced Habanero or Scotch bonnet peppers
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup white vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper

*Some common additions: a pinch of ground cloves, shredded turnip, thinly green and red peppers

Shred the vegetables into very thin slices about 2 to 3 inches long. Mix them together and sprinkle the salt and pepper over them. Remove the seeds from the Habanero peppers, slice them into thin circle slices, and place them into the freshly squeezed lime juice. (Be careful handling the hot peppers!) Mix everything together and enjoy!

In Haiti this dish is often made and served fresh. But many recipes recommend that you pickle it for at least 4 hours. Simpy pack all the vegetables into a glass jar, alternating layers of vegetables and a few slices of pepper and lime juice. Pour the white vinegar over everything to cover the vegetables. Cover the jar and let it pickle for at least 4 hours. Pikliz is at its peace after 1 or 2 days of pickling. Refrigerate it if kept more than one day.

As I mentioned, the internet offers several variations to this popular Haitian side dish. You can't really mess up this recipe. Use whatever amount of hot peppers you want. Some people like onions in their pikliz, some don't. Make it your own! And enjoy!!

For a good fried plantain recipe, click here.

My sister successfully made some pikliz for a dinner with her book club. They were reading Haitian author Edwidge Danticat's Claire of the Sea Light.

Yvette's pikliz (she makes the best!) served on top of fried plantains. Yum!

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” Philippians 2:5

I woke up realizing I needed a bit of an attitude adjustment today. I was already complaining about early morning calls and visitors (no calls and visitors before 7am please and thank you!), the staff not doing things exactly as I would (you mean people don't read minds?), and just feeling ready for my Christmas break coming in 26 days, 13 hours, and 19 minutes (not that I'm counting...)

Fact #1: This missionary gets tired.
Fact #2: Sometimes this missionary isn't her best for herself or others.

Truth to live by... DAILY: My attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

I found this devotion and spent some time asking God to search my heart for the source behind my negativity this morning. Sometimes I'm tired, stretched too thin, feeling burned out. These are things I need to ask God to help me deal with. They are not an excuse for a poor attitude. I need to ask Him to replace my pride with humility, my complaining with gratitude, my selfishness with generosity, my bitterness with kindness...

And of course I'll share the devotion with you in case your Friday morning is feeling like a Monday morning! Choose joy, kindness, and gratitude today. Your attitude will thank you for it. And so will everyone else around you! Breathe deep. It's a new day.

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

To read the devotion, click here: www.proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/attitude-adjustment

[This is the third post in a series I wrote for FHM's blog of my favorite places in Haiti. My two previous posts are about Kokoye Beach and Rustik.]

Jacmel is about 30 miles from Leogane. The two towns are separated by a steep and curvy mountain road that is not for the faint of heart—or stomach. You are, however, rewarded with breathtaking mountain views all along the way.

In the mid-1800s, Jacmel was an important port town, used by many traders between the Caribbean and Europe. Many of the buildings in downtown Jacmel are over 100 years old and were built with a unique Creole style architecture similar to styles I've seen in the French Quarter, New Orleans. And similar to New Orleans, Jacmel gets its influx of tourists around Mardi Gras time, called Kanaval. Jacmel is known for its colorful celebrations and parades, complete with incredible papier-mâché masks and decorations. Just in the past year, Jacmel has invested in some beautiful improvements including a tourist-friendly waterfront promenade showcasing the tile work of local artists. And of course there are plenty of shops throughout the downtown area selling all of the local crafts.

If you've traveled to Haiti with FHM, there's a good chance you've at least made a stop in Jacmel. And if you haven't visited yet, be sure to take a day to go explore this artists' town. You'll be glad you did!

The view from Cap Lamandou Hotel. If you're on a budget, don't stay there... just go for a nice meal. They have tasty cheeseburgers of all things!

Coterelle Breeze is a peaceful and very affordable place to stay. It's a little further outside of Jacmel but well worth the extra travel time.

Just two miles from Coterelle Breeze is Ti Mouillage Beach. They have bungalows near the water and also let you spend the day there if you order from their kitchen.

A fresh catch from the Ti Mouillage kitchen. DE-LICIOUS!

Hotel Cyvadier is a bit pricier when it comes to an overnight stay, but the view of the cove is spectacular and their food is delicious and very affordable. We often go just for a meal.

Surf Haiti is a neat organization in Haiti that offers some great programs for the local kids and youth. You can also stay there overnight and/or rent surfboards for the day.

And when you visit Jacmel, of course take time to go visit Bassin Bleu!

Jacmel Fun Fact:
Jacmel was the first town in the Caribbean to have telephones and potable water.

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