Rasta mouse is a delightful cartoon character rastafarian mouse who hangs out with his friends.  It teaches children about friendship, respect and community and is very creative and clever. As well as being a childrens television show, it is also a series of books and songs.

Jamaican Patois Language

Rastamouse has a particular appeal for Afro-Caribbean children and the language used is Jamacian Patois. It is hard for parents or children not to be uplifted by the great reggae songs and the message it conveys.  It is funny and educational.

There is so much rubbish on the television for children to watch, so if they have to watch it, and they will, then this is a really a refreshing change for the better.  The reggae music and rasta message is so strong it has spread to the four corners of the earth and now into the hearts of babes.  This series is written primarily for the under six age group.

Racism and bad language complaints

Some people have complained and associate the word ‘rasta’ with something undesirable, particularly in the black community.  They are saying that the language used is slang and encourages their children not to speak Proper English.  I can understand that people raised in England might want to speak the Queens English, but there are many people on earth and all have to the right to their cultural diversity.

Rastas will always speak their Jamaican Patois

Rastas are renowned for retaining their Jamaican Patois language with pride.  It once saved them for the brutal  slave masters who in fact were English. This is a very complex story and this cartoon simplifies it down to love respect friendship community comedy and great music.  What more could you want.  Hopefully the discussion that develops from shows like this will broaden understanding between people.  I personally give thanks and praise to Rastamouse and Da Easy Crew and the Nuff Song Studio for making seriously good music and the world a better place .

Tumeric – Common name

Curcuma domestica syn. Curcuma longa – Botanical name

What is Tumeric

Tumeric is an ancient sacred spice also known as Indian saffron and indigenous to the monsoon forests of south east asia. Tropical and subtropical climates are the best for the cultivation of this herbaceous perennial and in colder climates it is grown in a protected environment. It is planted into warm soil in Spring from a rhizome with two buds. Every four years clumps are dug up completely, broken up and replanted. It likes a lot of water and sun or semi-shade and has a beautiful white flower.

Buy some tumeric

The tumeric rhizome has a strong yellow color and is used for dying. The leaves and roots are used in cooking. It is often added to curries or curry powder to give a rich yellow color. There has been a lot of  information coming into the mainstream about this plant in the last few years. It is a very potent and a powerful root and has been used in healing for thousands of years as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, natural painkiller, anti-depressant and liver detoxifier. Many modern western medicine studies have shown that it can help with arthritis, auto immune diseases and dementia.

Quality of the source

When using tumeric for medicinal purposes it must be the best quality. Real turmeric is a rich orange yellow and has a strong spicy aroma. The best way to know that you are getting the best quality freshest turmeric is to grow it yourself. You can harvest off the side of the plant as you need it or wait and harvest the whole plant when the leaves yellow and die back. I think at least a dozen plants in your garden are necessary. You really cant get enough of this plant. You can use it fresh or dry, powder and vacuum seal. You need the life force in this plant for it to heal you. This of course applies to all food. Please listen to Vaidya Mishra as he explains how to use this ancient plant. We need to understand how to use this plant.