Lifestyle Archives - Page 5 of 15

Food culture and religion

June 22, 2021

We got to see yesterday that culture dictates the type of food eaten by a particular set of people of the same ethnic grouping and we also said that we cannot talk culture without talking about food. Interesting the angle that we are looking at today is line with food now being a sole factor in the identification of a group or an entire nation with emphasis on religion. I am a Christian, and in particular a catholic and the one thing that is widely known in connection to food is that we consume alot of beer and pork. That in itself is an identification.

The role of food in cultural practices and religious beliefs is one that is complex and is very varied among communities. Understanding the role of food in cultural and religious practices is important as a sign of respect and response to the needs of that community. If you happen to be in a profession like mine where we attend to people’s dietary needs, you don’t want to be caught off guard recommending a type of food that is a taboo in one’s culture however nutritious it maybe. For example, pork is a good source of high biological proteins that are very beneficial for someone’s health, but according to the religious cultural practices of Muslims this cannot be consumed. Recommending this will certainly be an insult to someone practicing that faith. People practicing the Hindu religion do not eat meat or anything that involves taking life, so it is important that you do not assume someone’s religious practices and beliefs, if in doubt, it does not hurt to ask. You may find that the restrictions could go as far as the utensils used. Detailed below are some of the dietary practices of some religions;

Christianity

The various faiths of Christianity include Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant. The regulations governing food and drink differ from one to the next, including some faiths that don’t advocate any restrictions. Individuals may choose to forgo alcohol and may choose whether or not to eat meat.

Some of the food beliefs and practices may include:

Some Catholic and Orthodox Christians observe several feasts and fast days during the year. For example, during lent, the practice is that the faithful fast or avoid red meat on Fridays, if one must eat meat then it should be white meat like fish.
Most Protestants observe only Easter and Christmas as feast days and don’t follow ritualised fasting.
The ritual of communion is regularly celebrated by many Christians and this involves eating bread and drinking wine (or substitutes) to represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Some Christians don’t drink alcohol at all. These include many members of the Salvation Army and other Protestant churches like the Pentecostals.
Mormons and Seventh Day Adventists also avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Many Seventh Day Adventists don’t eat meat or dairy products. Those that do eat meat don’t eat pork.
Self-denial (of food), or fasting, is sometimes considered to be ‘praying with the body’. It is believed to improve spiritual discipline by overcoming the sensations of the physical world and focusing on prayer and spiritual growth. It may also be used by some Christians as a way of connecting with those people around the world who regularly face starvation or malnutrition.

Islam

Moderation in all things (including eating and dietary habits) is central in Islam. When done according to the way of Allah, daily acts like eating are considered a form of worship.

Muslims eat halal (lawful) foods, which include fruit, vegetables and eggs. Any meat and meat products they consume must be from a halal slaughtered animal, this includes the person who has done the slaughtering too. Milk and dairy foods are halal, cheese may be halal depending on ingredients. Haram (prohibited) foods on the other hand include pork, crustaceans, blood, non-halal animal-derived additives such as gelatin or suet, alcohol and any foods containing alcohol as an ingredient.

Fasting is required during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims must refrain from consuming food, liquids between sunrise and sunset. However some individuals are exempt from fasting, like the pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating women, children under 12 years, older people and chronically or acutely ill people.

Judaism

Food forms such an integral part of a practicing Jew with Jewish ‘food laws’ dating as back as more than 3000 years. These laws contribute to a formal code of behaviour that reinforces the identity of this community. Judaism requires that food is kosher, meaning the food must meet the standards of kashrut. Kashrut refers to the laws pertaining to food in the Jewish religion, and Kosher means that a food is ‘fit’ or permitted.

The only types of meats acceptable are cattle and game that have cloven hooves and chews curd. Sheep, cattle and goats may be eaten as they meet the requirement, whereas pigs cannot be eaten as, although they have cloven hooves, they do not chew curd. After slaughter, forbidden blood, veins and certain fats must be removed.

Chicken, turkey, goose and duck can be eaten, but other birds are forbidden. Eggs from kosher birds can be eaten as long as they do not contain blood.

Dairy products from kosher animals may be eaten, although meat and dairy cannot be eaten together. There are rules forbidding the mixing and consumption of dairy products with meats. The law requiring the separation of meat and dairy products is strict that it includes the need for separation of utensils used and bread should not contain dairy products. Only fish with scales may be eaten and shellfish is forbidden. Fruit and vegetables may be eaten.

Buddhism

Buddhists avoid harming any living thing therefore killing animals for food is wrong. As a result, many Buddhists are vegetarians. It is believed that Buddha cycled through various animal forms before attaining the form of a human being in his multiple lives on Earth so killing of animals is forbidden. Buddhism proposes that violence or pain inflicted
on others will rebound on you, hence some Buddhists believe that a contributing cause of human aggression is violence against animals.

Hinduism

Hindu dietary customs are based in the belief that the body is composed of fire, water, air and earth, and that the food you eat can either balance these elements or throw them out of balance. Hindus believe that all living things have a soul, and strongly believe in the concept of reincarnation, making Hindus reluctant to kill any living creature, therefore majority of Hindus are lacto-vegetarian (avoiding meat and eggs), although some may eat lamb, chicken or fish. Beef is always avoided because the cow is considered a holy animal, but dairy products are eaten. Animal-derived fats like lard and dripping are not permitted.

I do not know what religious affiliation you belong to but you will be surprised that there are dietary laws that are pertained in there, each having a significance in the upholding of your faith. You may want to find out.

Lifestyle

Humans Vs Technology

June 18, 2021

A friend of mine recently wrote a blog wondering whether technology will ever replace humans and this is me attempting to give my thoughts about it.

Everywhere you turn these days, as we have been meant to understand this whole week, there’s alot of talk also on automation replacing humans. It is no doubt that technology is surely advancing at a rapid rate, and the fear of technology taking over humans is very eminent. I still believe there are things that will still need the human touch for sure. Let us take a case in point, the emotion element of a human. I pray and hope we will not turn to technology for this, ever. I cannot imagine having to go to a wired device to find emotional solace. While a machine can perform a given task, often more efficiently than we can, it is my belief that it lacks the artistry in the activity. That is uniquely a human ability to cater to the needs of the individual. Whereas the protocol may suggest one approach, a person who is good at their job understands when to adjust and the subtleties that are required. Not everything will be done by technology.

The other day we talked about Artificial Intelligence making us free from doing repetitive work, making it safer to do our job, I still think it is not smart enough to do creative work and innovate, after all it needs a programmer who is a human to do all that. If I were to ask you, would you want to enter an operating room and be left plugged to machines to carry out an operation or would you want to see humans in there with you? I guess the latter sounds more comfortable than the former.

Could we talk spiritual for a bit now, how does technology replace the givers of our spiritual nourishment? This is one area I feel is the pivot for life and there is no where in this world that we see ourselves turning to technology for spiritual nourishment unless we are worshiping idols; and the second Commandment forbids worship of man-made things that represent false gods. So again, there there is no way technology will replace humans.

It goes without mention that technology is and continues to have so many benefits however replacing humans, that I do not think so. Maybe working alongside sounds more like it. I still want to interact with a smiling human at the reception desk, want to be served by a handsome waiter, I want to sit in church and look at the preacher speak to me, feel the touch of a doctor when am not well or even the hands of a masseuse at the spa. Humans are here for a long long time I will say.

Lifestyle

Are you afraid?

June 17, 2021

You will be your own boss, work from anywhere or at anytime, be incharge of your work schedule, escape work drama, take any day off, e.t.c, are some of the things promised when you choose to go the route of self employment and have your own business. I am surprised no one talks about the fear of starting a business especially if you are transitioning from a job where you have enjoyed a steady paycheck. I was in this place not many months ago and boy O! boy, it is dauting. The fear alone is not of this world. Fear is a natural, powerful and primitive human emotion that alerts us to the presence of danger or the threat of harm, whether that danger is physical or psychological. Sometimes the fear stems from real threats, but it can also originate from imagined dangers; thinking about it, my fears for starting a business are mostly from the imagined dangers. If you are in the same league with me, I am here to ‘shame’ these fears so that we can get ahead of them and tap into the unending promises we have been given.

Where do I start

This is the first and arguably the biggest fear of starting a business. There is a way ideas flow in the beginning and everything seems possible. You picture yourself an instant billionaire once you begin, then that evil small voice starts to read for you everything that could possibly go wrong. The changing of goal posts becomes a ping pong, switching the business ideas from here and there. This place is very scary but not the end for sure. It is rocky in the beginning but the brain finally settles on one that you think you can mostly handle, majorly in the line of your passion. For the time being, don’t panic, your mind is just going through a process.

Are you crazy!

Call it being radical if you like but it takes alot of courage to leave a sure paycheck at the end of the month and decide to swim in the turbid waters of self employment where there is no guarantee. Matter of fact many people will confirm your craziness and it just makes the fear worse. Are you crazy? Maybe you are, but you will be crazier if you never take a risk and work for someone else for the rest of your life. Risk is part of the whole package believe me but the way to fight the fear is to step out on a limb, believe in your talents and convince others to believe in them, too. It won’t be easy, but it is not impossible either. Accept your craziness and then appreciate that it’s the crazy ones who end up making a difference in the world at the end of the day.

Will I get all the funding?

There will be a few people who have all the funds that they require to start a business but very many will tell you start with what you have. When you wait out to get all that you need, you may never begin at all or the money can find other things to do. Steady process building might be the best option that you have and build your way up. Remember a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

Breaking even

Breaking even in business is one sure fear that one cannot avoid. You think of when you will begin to enjoy the fruits of your business, when you will have gone through the necessary mistakes and now have a grip on the way your business is running. If you are still confused about what ‘breaking even’ means, it simply means that point at which the total revenue equals the total costs or expenses, in other words, at this point you have no profit or loss. This point gives the business owner a clear idea of how much needs to be achieved to avoid a loss and make a profit. For some businesses this comes quick, for others it even never comes, so the thought of it can be torture. If you invest in your business and don’t see an immediate return, keep working my friend. Should you quit before you earn a profit, you’ll never earn a profit. Get as much help in navigating your business and it should be okay.

What other fears do you have starting a business? Let us shame these fears and kick them out of our way.

Lifestyle

How positioned are you for the revolution?

June 14, 2021

Right from the 18th century the world has been experiencing industrial revolutions that impact the world’s economic status in a very profound way. Towards the end of the 18th century in 1784, the world received it’s very first industrial revolution with the emergence of steam powered factories. The second industrial revolution happened in the 19th century in 1870 where we got to see the application of science to mass production and manufacturing. Things like an assembly line was invented and the industrial sector speeded up exponentially. The third industrial revolution came in the 20th century in 1969 with advances in computing that led to machine programming. This opened the door to progressive automation. Now the 21st century has seen the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution in 2016 which is building on the third, comes with the fusion of these technologies and their interaction across the physical, digital and biological domains. The Fourth Industrial Revolution’s technologies, such as artificial intelligence, genome editing, augmented reality, robotics, and 3-D printing, are rapidly changing the way we create, exchange, and distribute value.

The technologies of the fourth industrial revolution include the following;

Artificial intelligence – this is the combination of algorithms formulated with the purpose of creating machines that have the same skills as a human being. Although this technology still seems to be distant and mysterious, there is a sure constant presence in our day-to-day lives for some years now. Look at robots, facial recognition features in phones now, virtual voice assistants like Siri to mention but a few. A.I is slowly but surely taking shape.

Internet of things – Studies show that more than 8 billion devices are connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) and this figure is set to triple in the coming years. With this we are already seeing new technologies making possible traffic flow analysis, programmable signaling, car park sensors; connected appliances, voice assistants, remote surveillance via mobile in homes all made possible by Internet of Things.

Cobots – We are increasingly seeing that robots and humans can work together like colleagues thanks to the boom in collaborative robots. The use of cobots in industry is changing production processes because unlike industrial robots, they work efficiently, safely and skillfully with other employees on all types of tasks. Experts tell us that cobots share jobs with operators, collaborating, manoeuvring and interacting with them. They are not intended to replace humans, rather become their bodyguards. These machines release operators from dangerous, repetitive and burdensome tasks, reducing absence due to illness and occupational illnesses which has always affected work and production. They also have sensors that detect human presence and react, for example by slowing down to protect humans from injury. We all know countless people who have lost body parts and even lives trying to get their work done. I believe there is a sigh of relief in that area.

Augmented reality and virtual reality – This is a technology that allows virtual elements to be superimposed onto our vision of reality. Through this technology surgery now can be done in detail, you may yourself how? Through tablets or holographic glasses, doctors can visualise organs in 3D or consult the patient’s history before or during a surgical intervention. Runners, cyclists, mountaineers, and hiking enthusiasts can now explore their routes in 3D by projecting them into any surface allowing them to plan their next adventures and share their activities. In architecture, companies can now use artificial reality to enable clients check in real time how their house will look once the work is completed or how their furniture will fit in with the rest of the decor. From trying on clothes virtually to watching an interactive campaign on a wall in the middle of the street, the sales and promotion potential offered by artificial reality to brands is incalculable. Are you seeing how to position your business already?

Big data – Nowadays, over 6,500 million connected devices share information over the Internet and now with the COVID pandemic forcing everyone to work more from home, this figure has most definitely shot up. So big data analyses this “sea of data” to convert it into the information that is transforming our world. Big data is the set of technologies created to store, analyse and manage this bulk data. To break down this a little further, I will give some examples; GPS systems can detect traffic jams in the area checked by a user and suggest alternatives; a subscription streaming TV channel has created the characters and plot of its most successful series by analysing the contents its viewers consume and prefer to watch; smart watches monitor the heart rate of millions of users and identify patterns that can anticipate to and prevent cardiovascular diseases; humidity sensors in crop fields plan the irrigation frequency, combining their data with the weather forecasts, should I continue? Is this something you can make use of? How are you dealing with data at your disposal? Are you still piling box files in your stores?

3D and 4D printing – 4D printing uses 3D printers to create live three dimensional objects without wires or circuits. It does so by using intelligent materials, which can be programmed to change shape, colour or size when they receive an external stimulus. Intelligent designs that adapt to the environment and transform over time is the highlight of this technology. Clothes that adapt to weather conditions, furniture that assembles itself when taken out of the box, pipes that regulate their width according to the flow, prostheses that adapt to growth and disintegrate once they are no longer needed are just some of the present and future applications of 4D printing. 4D printing makes it possible for an object, to bend, repair, assemble or even disintegrate itself. It acquires a new shape or functionality on its own by reacting with the environment. How interesting can the fourth Industrial revolution get!!!!

On the whole, there are four main effects that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has on business; that is, on customer expectations, on product enhancement, on collaborative innovation, and on organizational forms. Whether consumers or businesses, customers are increasingly at the epicenter of the economy, which is all about improving how customers are served. Physical products and services, moreover, can now be enhanced with digital capabilities that increase their value. New technologies make assets more durable and resilient, while data and analytics are transforming how they are maintained. A world of customer experiences, data-based services, and asset performance through analytics, meanwhile, requires new forms of collaboration, particularly given the speed at which innovation and disruption are taking place. And the emergence of global platforms and other new business models, finally, means that talent, culture, and organizational forms will have to be rethought. The onus is now on everyone to see how to position oneself appropriately for this revolution in whatever sector of life you are in, be it business, product or service provision. Do not be left behind, it might be too late to catch up.

Lifestyle

Are we doing enough?

June 10, 2021

One time I was scrolling through the internet and came across an interesting feature on a lady called Haben Girma. She is the first deafblind person to graduate from Havard law school and is now a disability rights advocate. What I like the most about her is her belief that disability is an opportunity for innovation, and she has made it her life purpose to teach organizations the importance of choosing inclusion. Go read about her and you will understand how important disability inclusion is to the world.

Disability Inclusion

This simply refers to making sure everybody has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities and desires by including people with disabilities in everyday activities and encouraging them to have roles similar to their peers who do not have a disability .

Disabled persons are entitled to have their special needs taken into consideration at all stages of economic and social planning. This does not only stop at policy makers but each on of us from content creators to the different service providers in our community. How inclusive and mindful are we to these people. It is advocacy week here at #WinterABC2021 and am here to highlight some simple ways each one of us can be inclusive of persons living with disabilities in the simplest of ways.

Content creators

97% of websites have access barriers according a report by United Nations and these digital barriers create an information famine, limiting employment and educational opportunities for people living with disabilities around the world and yet there is technology that exists to render digital information accessible to them. To bring this into perspective, I can give an example; blind individuals can use a software called screen readers that allow the content of websites, apps, and documents to be read aloud or be displayed in Braille on a connected Braille device; Captioning on videos will provide deaf viewers access to audio content. This is to content creators that programming for accessibility will allow a greater number of people to access your videos, webpages, articles, apps, and other information.

If you are wondering how this is meant to happen, I am happy to inform you that guidelines exist to help you make your information accessible. There are Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in place which are a set of technical standards for making websites accessible. Developers can refer to the iOS and Android accessibility guidelines to design accessible mobile apps . Programming for accessibility generally does not change the appearance of websites and apps.

Employers

If you an employer, you may want to consider the value of a person with a disability joining your team. This will not only reduce turnover costs, increase productivity, but also strengthen your company’s corporate culture. Studies still show that 1 in 5 persons living with disabilities are employed. Many of these persons are judged from the word go instead of identifying their strengths and capitalizing on those. You will be amazed at what a person is capable of doing but this is not possible if they are not given the chance.

A good example for this can be seen in a medical drama called The Good Doctor. The series follows Shaun Murphy, a young autistic surgeon with savant syndrome who relocates to work at the prestigious San Jose St. Bonaventure hospital but has to prove beyond all odds that he has what it takes to preserve life as a doctor despite his condition amidst doubts and ridicule from his colleagues. If you have not watched, it is not too late, it has only 4 seasons so you can catch up.

Make spaces accessible

This goes to all public areas including offices, restaurants, churches, event planners name it, please plan to see that your space and or venue for an event or provision of a service takes into account people with both physical and intellectual differences. This can be as simple as putting in place screens which can rely information for those with hearing differences through screens that have captions or making a sensory-friendly space to cater for those who are easily overstimulated due to conditions such as autism and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Does the venue cater for easy access of people in wheel chairs or do you want to be greeted with a scene of a wheel chair stuck in the terrace?

Learning institutions

Our overall cultural consciousness on how we treat and interact with disability ought to change, right from elementary schools. There is need to celebrate our peers for their differences and if this is taught at a young age, less discrimination and more social inclusion is bound to occur. Having children, both the able bodied and those living with disabilities learn side-by-side helps everybody appreciate the talents and gifts all children bring with them. It is our duty to promote the inclusion of our differences.

In addition how about we included disability history in the school curriculum. My question is how can a person living with a disability acknowledge and identify with his/her history if it’s not widely taught? How can the community be embraced if their civic background is never taught? Tell me one school here in Uganda that has a discipline on disability being taught. I think it is time as scholars to rethink our curriculum in that line.

Disabled or able-bodied, we all have the power and responsibility to make society more inclusive for everyone. Inclusion leads to increased participation in socially expected life roles and activities such as being a child, student, worker, friend, community member, patient, spouse, partner, or parent.

Let us always remember that disability inclusion means understanding the relationship between the way people function and how they participate in society, and making sure everybody has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities and desires. We all can do it beginning right from your area of influence.

Let us meet again tomorrow as we wrap up the Advocacy week.