rebekah writes stuff.

Author: raadamswriting

  • The thing with spicy food

    The thing with spicy food

    Spicy food doesn’t make much sense to me. Would I douse noodles in chilli oil or order a medium curry? No way. What is so enticing about red eyes and a runny nose that makes people say “I’ll have what they’re having”? Why do millions of people around the world put themselves through tongue tingling pain each time they go for a mouthful, only then to come back for more?

    People love spice

    When I say that spicy food is popular, this is an understatement. According to their 2021 survey, Kalsec reckons 95% of people worldwide enjoy spicy and hot foods, ranging from mild to holy sh*t that’s hot. More people prefer their food to pack a punch than not and it’s clear that people get a real buzz from it. Mexico, India, Thailand & South Korea are home to some of the world’s spiciest dishes, with India among the top consumers of spicy food in the world in 2020. Chilli is a hot commodity and there is a huge variety of hot sauces, chilli oils and chutneys being exported across the globe. Most people can handle spice in just about anything – crisps, sweets, pizza, even ice cream.

    Despite the numbers, I still don’t get it.

    As much as I’ve tried, I just can’t get on the spice bandwagon. You might’ve guessed that I have a mild spice tolerance. You’d be right. For me, being brave is ordering a mild curry. Or eating a couple of Sweet Thai Chilli Dorito crisps (which are epic btw). Unlike some who take to spice like a duck to water, spice and I have a complicated relationship, built on uncertainty, pain and curiosity. Frankly, I’ve been burned one too many times and the experience is enough to put me off for life. Spice enthusiasts never fail to baffle me.

    What flavour??

    If you were to ask me what spice tastes like, I’d say it tastes like numbness. Or bonjela. Or regret.

    And yes, I am aware that capsaicin (the chemical from chilli peppers) creates the hot, tingling sensation that you feel in your mouth. It causes you to sweat out of your eyeballs. Forget a relaxing evening at your favourite restaurant. You take one bite and it’s so hot that the flavour is no longer relevant. It’s an afterthought at this point. Instead, it’s more about pushing through the pain and the sweat. And for what?

    Spice has the ability to enhance or ruin any eating experience. Hence why people, like me, tread carefully around it.

    The Scoville Scale indicates how hot a chilli or a pepper is based on the amount of capsaicin.

    The Hubris of Spice

    There is a reputation attached to being able to withstand spice. People who can eat spicy food without coughing up a lung are regarded as superhuman. Besides, being able to boast that you can handle more than a mild butter chicken is a big deal. In this day and age it’s a signal of strength. Of coolness (if you pardon the pun). It’s admirable.

    However, there is a difference between confidence and competence. This is where it tends to separate the winners from the losers.

    Me, for example, I know I’m not good with too much spice. A tickle at the back of the throat is enough for me. I know my limits. Others are up for more of a challenge. Spice is unpredictable and it can floor even the most seasoned of spice enthusiasts. It has a habit of bringing people back down to earth, typically in a hail of flames, whilst reaching for milk. It’s only here that you are reminded of your actual spice tolerance.

    I am aware being bad with spice also gives you a reputation, but I’m not phased.

    Respect the Spice

    It must be liberating to order whatever is on the menu without questioning it, asking if it’s “really hot?” or checking what you have on tomorrow before ingestion. At the crux of it, spice comes down to a bunch of factors, like personal preference, culture, and your own tolerance. Some are just better at handling the heat than others.

    It continues to amaze me how people can eat something incredibly spicy and not bat an eyelid. I have a huge respect for spice lovers, mainly because I’m awe struck.

    Spice continues to leave me with questions, but I haven’t gone off it. I’ll continue to dabble in the odd spicy crisp and hot menu item but always with caution and plenty of milk on the side.

    Are you a spice lover? Or do you give spice a miss? Got any favourite spicy foods? Leave me a comment below 🙂

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  • Ins & Outs of 2024

    Ins & Outs of 2024

    Happy New Year everyone! I hope you’re doing well, wherever you are reading this from. I’d also just like to say thank you for reading my blog posts last year, subscribing and supporting my new insta page! It really does mean the world, thank you 🙂

    Anyways, back to the blog! First post of the year yeeeooww!

    I am by no means a meteorologist. Or a forecaster, but I do have an inkling for the trends we might be seeing in the coming year. I present to you four predictions of what will be leaving us in 2024 and what will be coming along for the ride:

    Barbie-geddon is out

    2023. It was an ordinary day when, suddenly, from out of nowhere, an enormous tidal wave of pink engulfed the world. It might have even blocked out the sun as far as I’m concerned. It then spread to all major retailers before infiltrating social media. Yes, I’m talking about Barbie-geddon. We had been warned about the pink-washing, but nobody could have predicted just how much pink was in store – and just how much of it I would buy. Yes, even I wasn’t immune to its infectious appeal.

    Don’t get me wrong – I like the colour pink. The colour isn’t the issue here, it’s the sheer quantity of pink that filled my retinas. Magenta. Fuscia. Rose. Bubblegum. I bought more pink than I’ve ever bought in my life. Why? I couldn’t tell you. I was just a pink girl in a pink world. Honestly, a big hats off to The Barbie Movie’s marketing team.

    Did I have fun during the Barbie hype? Of course I did. Will I ever see pink the same way again? No. It’s safe to say that pink flood waters are now receding back to pre-Barbie-geddon levels.

    Skin Care is in

    Less picking and popping, more protecting and priming.

    The last few years have seen a skyrocketing focus on skincare. Dewy, glossy skin is in. The ‘clean girl aesthetic’ and minimalist makeup have grown increasingly popular, helped in part by Tik Tok and social media. Plus, there is such a plethora of skin care products now that I can’t see the focus shifting away in 2024 – or any time soon. I have only just gotten my head around niacinamide.

    2024 is the year of building better skincare habits, using sunscreen and moisturising literally everywhere (especially your neck!!).

    Less Time on Social Media is in

    I saw a quote the other day which said something along the lines of “do more things that get you off your phone”. In the age of consolidation, where everything is on the one device, this is definitely easier said than done. Haven’t we all sat on reels for a few minutes only to look up and notice it’s been about an hour? Yeah.

    Using social media mindfully is in for 2024, so says the New York Times, and I couldn’t agree more. This looks like unplugging from socials every now and then or reducing how much time you go on insta. It’s also remembering that comparison is the thief of joy and people don’t normally post their lowlights. From what I can tell, more people want to spend less time on their devices in general. That’s why I think mindful scrolling and taking time away from social media is a big in for 2024. It’s good to take a break.

    New Year’s Resolutions are Out

    I think NY’s Resolutions need a face lift and I’m not the only one. They’re going out of fashion because they put too much pressure on people. In saying that, New Year’s Resolutions aren’t all bad if they are structured well, but most of the time they are too hard, unrealistic or unsustainable. A NY’s resolution is less likely to fall apart after a week if it is doable and realistic. For example, deciding you’re going to start training for a marathon by running 42km on the first day is really hard.

    Enter Atomic Habits by James Clear. This book is an inspiring and practical guide to building better habits which will help you to achieve your goals, whether they are short term or long term. No, this isn’t sponsored, I just thought it was a great read haha.

    In summary, just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean you can’t keep building on from last year. In fact, that’s exactly what you should do. If you have a couple of goals in mind, ensure that you make them doable and realistic.

    What are your ins and outs for 2024? I’d love to know!

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  • I rewatched Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

    I rewatched Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

    Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999) is a nostalgic Disney classic. For those of you who’ve never seen it, or who last watched it on a VHS, the film is separated into three chunks, each with a different Christmas meaning.

    The first two stories ended thoughtfully with classic Christmas messages spread throughout, but it’s Mickey’s story which took me by surprise. Before I unpack Mickey’s film, here is a quick summary of the first two:

    Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas

    Story one is about Huey, Dewey and Louie and how they wish that Christmas could be everyday. In true Disney fashion, their wish comes true and sure enough, Christmas is yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever. The novelty soon wears off and, eventually, they discover that Christmas isn’t solely about receiving presents. It’s about family and being present. Time magically restores itself and that’s that. I’d rate the moral of the story a solid 4/5.

    A Very Goofy Christmas

    Story two follows Goofy’s son Max. Their neighbour Pete (the antagonist) puts a dampener on Max’s Christmas when he postulates that Santa couldn’t possibly exist. Naturally, this dulls Max’s Christmas spirit and his love of Santa. Goofy works tirelessly to keep Max’s Christmas spirit alive, to the point where he maxes out his own Christmas joy. In the end, Max realises he doesn’t need proof and that it’s more about belief, being with your family and spreading Christmas cheer to those less fortunate. I’d give it a 3.5/5 for moral of the story.

    We have now arrived at the final story, which is Mickey and Minnie’s. Here we go:

    Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi

    Mickey and Minnie are working hard to make ends meet, Mickey selling Christmas trees and Minnie in Mortimer’s (a department store). Both Mickey and Minnie, in an effort to buy something for each other, are swindled out of their hard earned money, with Mickey’s boss Pete stealing his tips and Minnie’s Christmas bonus presented in the form of a fruit cake. That can’t be legal, can it??

    Christmas is now up in the air.

    Key thing to note here is Mickey’s harmonica. He takes it everywhere with him to get a bit of extra cash and he is incredibly talented. SO talented that the toy drive hire him on the fly to support the band and raise donations. Ok, so remember: Mickey LOVES his harmonica. It brings JOY to him and to others.

    Before the day is up, Mickey rushes to the jewellery store to buy Minnie the necklace he has been eying up for her. Unfortunately, the owner closes up the shop.

    When Mickey and Minnie reunite to exchange presents by the fire, Minnie gives Mickey a harmonica case. She reveals she exchanged the watch Mickey had bought her the year before in exchange for the case. Then, Mickey presents his gift: the necklace from the shop window. It turns out he won’t have any need for the harmonica case because he traded his harmonica in exchange for the necklace. The end. WHAT?!

    *Stunned silence*

    The pressure of Christmas time?

    Let me collect my thoughts. So, what they’re saying is, is that you should do whatever it takes to buy your partner a present at Christmas time – even if it means giving up on the thing that brings you joy?

    On reflection, does Mickey’s decision to trade in his harmonica show the pressure people feel at Christmas to have something tangible to give to someone? The fear of showing up empty handed. To one up last year’s presents. Perhaps. Even still, you shouldn’t have to sell your pet, your piano, your playstation or take out another deposit on your house just to impress your partner.

    Mickey, you should never have traded in your harmonica. Minnie, you should never have traded in the watch Mickey bought you. That’s not what Christmas is truly about.

    Moral of the story gets a 2/5 from me. It got me thinking, that’s for sure!

    Let me know your thoughts on this ending! Or any other movies you would like me to review!

    *All images belong to Disney

  • The one where the yeast won’t work

    The one where the yeast won’t work

    Well, when I say yeast doesn’t work, that’s not strictly true. Yeast does work but under very strict circumstances. Essentially, yeast is an organism that makes your bread rise and taste good. It does this by eating sugar in a nice warm environment, like me of an evening. This way it releases carbon dioxide, puffing up your dough.

    However, yeast is not obligated to help you. When you ask yeast to make your bread rise, it spins around to face you in an intimidating chair. Under the glow of a dimly lit lamp, it asks “what’s in it for me?”. You nervously offer sugar, warmth and a great space to expand, and it’ll either wave its hand dismissively, as if to say ‘that’s nothing special’, or give a nod and shake your hand.

    A fickle friend

    Out of all the times I’ve used yeast when trying to make bread and buns, there is probably a 1 in 10 chance of success. You might read the recipe word for word and follow it step by step but if the yeast doesn’t co-operate, then it’s game over. Yeast is a helper and a hinderer. A giant hurdle, more like. You could have the warmest kitchen in the world and your yeast still might give your dough a miss.

    Now, I will admit that I am no seasoned baker. I am an enthusiast who bakes occasionally because it’s therapeutic and I have a sweet tooth. However, when a recipe requires yeast, it strikes fear into my heart. That therapeutic feeling you had? Gone. And as for that oven you were preheating … well, let’s just switch that off. There’s nothing more disappointing than when you spend all morning baking (or all day even) and you’ve got nothing to show for it except a giant pile of dishes. Ah, the joys of baking.

    Don’t get me wrong, yeast is amazing. Those tiny brown beads have given us bread and beer and soy sauce! It’s a bit like magic, which is cool when it works, but cringe when it fails.

    My advice when working with yeast:

    • Just don’t.

    No, I’m kidding. Try this instead:

    • Make sure you’re using the right yeast

    Yes, there is more than one and no, they do not all get the job done the same way. According to Google, there are four different types of yeast including active dry yeast and instant dry yeast. So, make sure you’ve got the right one for your recipe! I wish I had’ve known that earlier on, but unseasoned, unprofessional baker, remember?

    • Lukewarm is your friend

    If you’re adding milk to your dough, make sure it isn’t cold or boiling hot. Milk needs to be warm because if it’s cold, the yeast will not do anything and if it’s too hot, there won’t be any yeast leftover to do anything. Make sure the milk is lukewarm so that the yeast feels like it’s in a nice relaxing bath.

    • If all else fails, at least they sell bread in the shop

    What more can I say?

  • Lightbulb writing moments

    Lightbulb writing moments

    Inspiration rarely works to a schedule, but when it shows its beautiful face, whether it’s the middle of the day or night, I rarely pass up the opportunity to write it down. There’s nothing worse than thinking you’ll remember it later, only for later to arrive and the idea you thought you remembered has in fact been forgotten.

    Having a new idea for a storyline is exciting! Everyone’s writing journey is different, but here are a couple of pointers that I’ve found helpful when beginning a new story.

    Write it down!

    Have you ever had a “this could be something!” brainwave? In those moments, I always scribble it down. On your hand, on a napkin, on your phone – wherever works best for you. Could be a quote, dialogue, a plot development, whatever! When you jot it down, you can relax knowing you’ve got the idea while it’s hot, instead of microwaved and partially remembered in a couple of hours. You might not need it now, but in years to come, you might look back on it and find it’s the hidden gem you’ve been searching for. Just write it down and thank your future self later.

    Do a rough draft

    Nothing fancy, just have a go at writing the story or a plot outline. You don’t have to have all your metaphors, character names and descriptions figured out now. You don’t have to have all plot holes sorted. Remember, this is the bare bones. We’re simply free writing our way through the story, meandering towards the climax and meeting new characters and workshopping what could happen. We’re going: “cool, maybe this could happen … and then this … what about this? … hmm, maybe this works better …”

    Your first draft of anything will not be the final product. Don’t stress about it being perfect right now. So long as you’ve got the idea down and you’ve had a go fleshing it out, that’s all that matters. It’s a stepping stone. Trust the process!

    “It was a dark and stormy night” by Charles M. Schulz (July 12, 1965)

    Take a break

    It’s ok if your story poses many unanswered questions and gaps at the moment. You might have a section where you know what’s going on, a big gap in the middle and a non-existent ending. Or maybe you know exactly how it’ll end but you’re still figuring out how to get there. Or you might be completely stumped.

    Writing is a process – it happens! This is where it can be good to take time away from it and come back to your story with fresh eyes. Like I said, inspiration usually strikes when we aren’t writing. You might come across the answer to your plot conundrum when you’re out for a walk or going shopping! So, don’t stress if your story is feeling a bit like a patchwork quilt right now. Or a piece of Swiss cheese.

    Hopefully this helps you as you write your story! Give it a go, and if you’ve got any other tips or tricks, let me know! Happy writing folks!