Eat well + Live well is easier said than done. In Ghana, we have most of the ingredients for this, but access and knowledge on how to use it are needed. In this video, I introduce you to Ben Asamani, founder of Tatale Vegan Restaurant. We have an insightful discussion on thriving in Ghana, the restaurant and hospitality business in Ghana, and the mindset needed to eat well and live well in Ghana. We also get an exclusive experience cooking some of Tatale’s signature dishes with Ben.
Tatale Vegan Restaurant is located in Osu, Accra and offers a menu of Ghanaian traditional dishes reimagined for a healthy lifestyle. You can find more information about Tatale Vegan Restaurant here.
What do you think of this experience? Are you coming to eat at Tatale Vegan Restaurant? Let me know in the comments.
There is more than one way to thrive in Ghana. I believe the mindset behind defining success and maneuvering reality is so important in developing the path that works for you. In this post, I introduce you to Michelle Konadu, founder of Villa Diaspora. We have an insightful discussion on her experience building Villa Diaspora in Accra, cultivating community in Ghana, and defining success. Have you heard of the “Republic Boys?” Do you know how to “face your front?” Do you know what success and family have in common in how to thrive in Ghana? We drop all the gems and spill some tea in this post.
Villa Diaspora is a co-living apartment and community space that provides a “soft-landing” to returnees, repatriates, and expats in Ghana. In this video, you also get to see an exclusive tour of Villa Diaspora. If you are looking to move and experience Ghana, you need to connect with Michelle.
I also asked Michelle what she appreciates about Ghana and what she needs Ghana to improve on. Here’s what she shared.
Things I appreciate about Ghana:
The culture
“I’m an Akan person. So, everything I thought I knew about Ghana was really just my parents’ village. But, living in Accra, it’s like a melting pot. It’s just that the pot itself is a Ga pot. Living here I’ve learned a lot about the Ga people. Our caretaker here is from the North but is not really from the North. You just learn so much about migration, culture, and people that are matrilineal versus patrilineal. Especially as a woman, I see our strength and the power we’ve always had. The woman with the baby on her back and the load on her head is self-sufficient. She is not a victim. She prioritizes. I’ve learned a lot about the women who came before me and the woman I am meant to be. We never lacked anything. We’ve been voting since voting started. We’ve owned property, sometimes even more than men. We’ve married multiple people. I love the culture.”
The pace
“I love the slower pace. I think people usually look at a slower pace as if people are slow or don’t know anything. But it’s the best thing you could do. I’ve been able to come back to my humanity. Being in Ghana keeps you on your toes. You never know when you are going to have light, water, or anything else. You might have it the majority of the time, but you’re always on your toes in case you don’t. But we don’t panic. Things happen and we sit back and say …hmmm… but it will solve itself. I think we are also great manifesters because we never speak negatively. We say “it shall be well” or “everything will be ok.” We then wait for it to be ok. I think that has a lot to do with why we are still here. Despite all that has transpired here, we are still here.”
It’s Ghana
“It’s got everything that you ever want. Whatever your lifestyle, you will find it here. If you want to be natural, you’ll find it here. If you want to be bougie, you’ll find it here like 10 times. It’s such a multifaceted place that no matter what you want in the place you can definitely find it, as long as you don’t limit yourself. Ghana will definitely not limit you.” (que…snapping fingers!)
Things I need Ghana to improve on:
The system
“One thing Ghanaians have been able to do is to find their place in the system. It would be great if the system did work. If we had the infrastructure everyone keeps talking about and complaining about. It would be great, but we found a way to fit ourselves into things. It would be great if we could utilize our energy in other ways and didn’t have to scheme.”
Year of Return / Beyond the Return
“The Year of Return was a great idea. One thing I had an issue with though was that all of the marketing and speeches and conferences and panels were done outside in the States or London or other places. The people here who you are sending people to come and meet have no idea about what’s going on and those people who do are like ‘we’re scamming to make some cash.’ So instead of being in a position where you are educated and also heart is softened and ready to embrace these people who are coming 400 years later…because Ghanaians, we like these things…long lost siblings and stuff like that. Hence ‘sankofa,’ to go back and get is not considered taboo. I think they could have done a much better job with that and we can still do a much better job than that. Educating people on the ground so it’s a better union. We can be better educated on the diaspora to not see them as money bags or strangers. That part breaks my heart because the faces are there…our noses are the same. It’s like Don Cheadle. If I draw African, it’s you I’m drawing. I think we can do a better job of embracing each other. Educating ourselves on who we are and where else we are in the world and how much we have been able to endure. There is more of us out there than everything leads us to believe.”
It was a pleasure sharing time and learning insight from Michelle. Isn’t Villa Diaspora beautiful? I love how she has decorated the place. Sitting outside was so peaceful. I’m excited to see how Phase 2 turns out. Building community is easier said than done, but when people invest their energy and resources to create a space to house community, it makes all the difference.
What do you think of our discussion and the tour? Are you coming to stay at Villa Diaspora? Share with me in the comments.
Also, remember to connect with me wherever you spend the most time. YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook…I’m there. I love hearing from you.
Being healthy in Ghana is becoming easier as I find more opportunities to use local ingredients. That is why I was so excited to find Tatale Vegan Restaurant. Located in Osu, the restaurant has a peaceful and cute vibe. Customer service is great as the waiters and owner are very attentive and helpful. They really understand the importance of presentation. The food is so good, you will forget there is no meat on your plate. You might even consider the vegan lifestyle for yourself. In this video, I take you with me to order the food, pick it up, and eat it at home. I really enjoyed my meal and look forward to trying everything else on their menu.
Note that this post is not endorsed. I ordered my own food and loved it so much I had to share.
Have you been to this restaurant? Would you try it? Share with me in the comments.
Also, remember to connect with me. I love hearing from you.
Is it truly a bad thing if certain history repeats itself? For instance, comparing the current Panoramic decade to the 1920s, would it be beneficial or chaotic if our behavior turned out to be the same? Along with developing a collection of masks to coordinate with my outfits, I have been wondering if there is any correlation between these two decades. This lead me to discover what different parts of the world were experiencing in the 1920s and if any of that compares to how we all will maneuver this decade.
Let’s start with the 1920s in the US. The jazz age. The Great Gatsby. The delicate clash between glamour and rebel. During this time, there was a dramatic rise in consumerism. Film and literature hyped up the parties and lifestyle a portion of the population was experiencing. On the other hand, the US was clamping down on immigration through legislation. The stock market began its descent. Henry Ford introduced the 49 hour work week with the auto industry. The younger generations of the time were pushing back against traditional taboos. Overall, it seems as if the 1920s in the US was a vibe.
In contrast, the 1920s in Ghana had a different vibe. During this time, the Gold Coast was still exporting gold and producing more than half of the world’s supply of cocoa. Due to this continued wealth, the 1920s was a decade of industrial and economic development in Ghana under the orders of Governor Gordon Guggisberg. He took on a 10-year development program and proceeded to develop and improve transportation, water supply, drainage, hydroelectric projects, public buildings, schools, hospitals, prisons, and communication lines. Their set goal was to fill half of the colony’s technical positions with Africans as soon as they could be trained. It seems that to an extent Ghanaians did benefit from the developments in this decade, which also aligned with growing resistance against British rule over Ghana.
Next, in Brazil, a similar resistance was happening. The 1920s in Brazil was partly defined by a modern art movement. As Brazil celebrated 100 years of independence from Portugal, artists began to produce avant-garde artwork that focused on human naturalism and anatomy. Of course, at first, the general response was a mixture of horror and shock. However, there was a desire to rid Brazil of imported art, literature, ideas, and ideology to push back against European art being seen as superior to Brazilian art. Also, fun fact, in the 1920s, many small towns in Brazil educated children in German or Japanese and Portuguese was rarely spoken. This was due to the mass migration to Brazil from Europe and Asia in the 1890s. However, when it was disclosed that the German government was aiding anti-government groups in Brazil, the Brazilian authorities closed schools that did not teach primarily in Portuguese.
Are you starting to notice a pattern? Surrounding resistance, identity, and drama? Let’s add one more.
This pattern was also happening in Japan. In the 1920s, a form of nationalism took hold in Japan to preserve traditional Japanese culture and reject Western influence. The British Empire ended its 21-year “alliance” with Japan, signaling the West’s apprehension of Japan’s growing power in East Asia. However, many Japanese who lived in the cities watched Hollywood movies, enjoyed Western-style dancing, and found Baseball, golf, and tennis popular. They also appreciated Western examples of democracy, liberal institutions, labor unions, and Women’s rights and proceeded to implement a version of these ideologies that worked for them at the time.
Looking at this sample of the world, the 1920s was a decade of resisting the traditional, redefining and reprioritizing identity, and experiencing an overwhelming amount of drama. The West was fighting among themselves, while countries colonized or hijacked by the West were starting to shake the table. All while everyone was wearing similar fashion styles and listening to similar music.
Now, fast forward to today. The first year of the 2020s was defined by resisting a virus and the traditional forms of basically everything, redefining identity and equality, and experiencing a devastating amount of drama. This time, it was overwhelmingly documented. So, what will the 2020s decade look like? What can we learn from the 1920s?
I’m glad you asked. I don’t know. Got ya! Ok, I have some ideas. The added layer to this experience is the technology and a global virus. Countries had to turn inward, after spending years getting comfortable with the good and bad side of globalization. People found creative ways to collaborate across borders and produce locally. Even I got to work with and get involved with groups of people I would have never crossed paths with if it was not for this push for community online. I feel it is also due to this turning inward that there was an increase in holding the failings of traditional norms accountable. The question is, how will this decade resolve all the issues we learned about and protested against in 2020? We all did a lot of talking while we had to stay in place or stay at home. Now that movement is becoming the norm again, we need to walk the walk too.
Despite all the varying and confusing information about The vaccine, I feel we still need to applaud humans on Earth. You made history! Developing a vaccine and rolling out distribution all in one year. That is awesome. Now, of course, me being someone who has no B.S. behind my name, (get it? Because I did not study science, but we should always question rules too) I must ask why it is taking so long to develop a malaria vaccine when a large part of Africa and Asia are heavily affected by it. Hopefully, we can get on that next.
From an individual standpoint, mental health is the bigger conversation that might shine during this decade. Again, thanks to technology and the people who are brave enough to share their authenticity, access to a community, resources, and solutions are expanding in ways like never before. The way this progresses will have such a major impact on everyone as a whole. Mental health is not only about what is happening in your mind. Cultures around work, relationships, health, consumerism, education, authority, and society at large are all influenced by mental health.
I feel we have set ourselves up for quite a fascinating decade. I am grateful to see beyond the year of doom. I feel more aligned with who I am and more comfortable in how I choose to create my reality. As calm and cool as that might be, I also deeply feel the continued unnecessary suffering the world and my mind still face. It is such a surreal balance because it keeps me very present at the moment. Looking at what was going on in the 1920s and how that influenced decades later, it seems like we are right on time in how we are defining the 2020s.
What do you think? I hope you have been keeping safe. Share your thoughts with me. Also, remember to connect with me on YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and/or Facebook. I love hearing from you. As wonderful as the internet is, being online still gives me this surreal isolated / connected feeling. You know what else is funny? In January of 2020 I posted a short story called The Year 2020. At the time, I had no idea how the year was going to be, but the story has some foreshadowing. It is fascinating how the imagination works.
Also, this mix is officially part of my 2020s soundtrack. Wouldn’t it be cool to chill at a lounge or picnic with this vibe? Enjoy.
It’s a beautiful day in the new normal. In this vlog, I run some errands, bake Oat, Coconut, Chocolate Chip cookies from scratch, dance in the kitchen, and work from home. I talk about what I have been watching and listening to recently. I also share details about the work I am doing with the platform Africans on China.
Regarding skincare, I have been developing a routine since I was in middle school. For the past 3 or 4 years, I have been using Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil, Skin Therapy Face Oil, and recently added their Coconut Sugar Facial Scrub. I have seen a great improvement in my skin with these products. My skin tone is more even and my natural glow is brighter. Due to the success of my skin, I have also convinced my mother, sisters, and brother to use these products. They all have different skin types and they all love how these products work on their face.
Like I mentioned in the video, I do recommend using cotton pads. I have been using them for a few years now and I do feel they have made a difference with my cycle. They also feel more comfortable. I use L, which does not only produce a quality organic product, but is also supporting education and access (read more on their website). I also finally got my hands on The Honey Pot, which is Black-owned and the first feminine hygiene care system powered by herbs.
Are you going out a lot these days? I feel uneasy when I do go out for essentials things. It is so worrisome knowing any and all precautions taken carry no guarantees.
The cookies! This is the oatmeal cookie recipe I used. For this batch, I substituted the coconut oil with almond milk and oat flour with almond flour. This is possibly why the texture came out more like a lump than a circle. It did taste delicious. This is a great dessert option if you are looking to cut down on sugar. The whole family liked it and demanded I make more. It was also a fun activity for me. As you may notice, if I continue doing vlogs, I must play music while I cook or bake. The food does not taste right when it is quiet in the kitchen.
I am currently reading the Inheritance Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin. It is so good! I am really enjoying the story. This author is so clever. I will share more about it once I finish it. The music I mentioned in the video are two albums I have been listening to fully back to back. Sauti Sol is a Kenyan Afro-Pop group. Their new album Midnight Train is really nice. I like the vocals and lyrics. It has a positive vibe.
Chloe x Halle are an American R&B sister duet. Their new album Ungodly Hour is really cool. I like the variety in beats and their rich vocals. It has a smooth vibe.
In terms of life in general, I am OK. Kind of feel like I am on a really long roller coaster…and I am not fond of real roller coasters. One week I feel balanced and productive, the next week I am wondering why I bother to thrive. It is weird and surreal. I am grateful.
Like I mentioned in the video, I am now part of the team behind Africans on China. It is a media platform that builds leadership capacity and boosts the agency of Africa in the China-Africa relationship. It is also a consultancy firm that provides strategic advisory services for individuals and businesses in both China and Africa. Currently, I am producing content. Feel free to check out my recent article, “The Surprising Way TikTok is Empowering African Artists.” The website has been up for a few weeks. So, we are working on building the brand voice and position the content to reach people who are interested in learning and contributing. Would you be interested in hearing more about this topic? Let me know in the comments.
Also, I am always looking for new music to listen to. Do you have any suggestions? Open to all genres. Share with me in the comments.
Remember to connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. I love hearing from you.
Half of the year 2020 is now complete. Can you believe it? I don’t really know what or how to feel. A good thing about this period of time is taking note of the things we claimed we did not have time for before. I have read 9 books so far in 2020. In this video, I discuss those books and share my take on what I loved and what I could do without. From Hip Hop culture, to relationships, to Afrofuturism, overall I really enjoyed these books.
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi. I loved the alternative world the author created for this story. I also was fascinated by how she described the interactions between the tribes. The theme of power was strong throughout the story. I liked how the source of that power determined the results or destiny of certain tribes. For example, the story focuses on two tribes. One finds their source of power through nature. Everything they do is a balance of give and take with nature. The other finds their source of power through conquest. Everything they do is pushed by taking and conquering. It is fascinating to observe them interact and learn from each other.
This was also the first book I read with the book club Ghana Must Read. I really enjoyed discussing the book with them. Back then, we met in person. Now, the sessions are hosted on Zoom with the author of the books. So cool! If you are in Ghana looking for a group to read with, check them out.
The Wait: A Powerful Practice for Finding the Love of Your Life and the Life You Love by DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good. I feel this book had helpful tips on determining why you make certain commitments to yourself and how to differentiate who is on your team. The overall message does focus on waiting to have sex until marriage. The examples and experiences they share can also resonate on life commitments that are or are not focused on physical intimacy. It also made me think about how certain personalities deal with self-hate. Like I asked in the video: for those of you who identify as men or lean more into your masculine energy, what do you do to manage disappointments and hurt feelings? Do you move on? Do you take yourself out of the race? For those of you who identify as women or lean more into your feminine energy, what do you do to manage disappointments and hurt feelings? Do you punish yourself? Do you move on? Comment below and let me know!
Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler. This book was interesting and creepy. Almost prophetic actually. Even though it was written in 1998, it details a story that sounds very similar to what the world is going through right now. I was encouraged by how the main character maintained her tenacity to create and cultivate a like-minded community in a world where everything has been destroyed. There was a lot of symbolism around human nature and perceived hierarchy in society. This was my first Butler read.
The Game of Desire: 5 Surprising Secrets to Dating with Dominance and Getting What You Want by Shannon Boodram. This book has a lot of great advice in understanding how to define your expectations. I found it really helpful to better differentiate if the people you interact with have priorities that are truly aligned with yours. It was also fascinating to see how the different personalities maneuvered the challenges and lessons. I found it encouraging. I also recommend you check out Shannon’s content. I have been following her for about 6 or 7 years. It is not easy finding information about relationships and sex that is actually helpful and empowering. She knows her stuff.
How Long ‘Till Black Future Month by N. K. Jemisin. This book was one of my favorites! It was such a wealth of creativity and talent. I really love the way this author combines history, culture, and fantasy. This was a collection of short stories. Each one was filled with so much detail and mystery, I really wanted to read the full story of each. I already have another one of her books on my book list for the second half of this year.
Year One by Nora Roberts. This book was also interesting and creepy. The story sounds very similar to what the world is going through now with a mysterious virus and the after effects of a new normal. Overall, it was a good read and I am looking forward to finding out what happens at the end of the series.
Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor. The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor. This was such a beautiful and exciting story. The way this author writes made me feel like I was listening to a real African griot. The overall story in this series is about the harm tradition can cause and the journey the chosen few must go through to save their people from themselves. I also loved the description of the dessert and the tribes. It paints an interesting future fantasy for Africa. I am also looking forward to reading more of her work the second half of this year.
Well, those were all the books I read this year so far. Would you read any of these? I am also looking for new books to read for the second half of the year. Do you have any book suggestions? Comment below and let me know.
Also, feel free to connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. I love hearing from you.
Dagny Zenovia 