 Celebrating Christmas in America as a Jamaican is completely different from Christmas celebrated on the beautiful island of Jamaica. This year, I was very homesick. I missed seeing houses being painted in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I missed the preparation of goats and pigs for the big Christmas feast and while I dislike mannish water, I really missed the aroma of it from that outdoor kitchen. Most of all, I missed Grand market night, walking uptown, downtown, uptown, downtown Christmas eve night. To get as close to the traditions as possible, my mom still cooks her curried goat, brown stew oxtail, bakes the rum cake … but it is simply not the same. I think 2020 will be spent in Jamaica celebrating Christmas; after all, Moses has yet to experience a Jamaican Christmas. Nevertheless, while I adjust to what Christmas celebration has become for us living in America, it has been hard for us to create our own family traditions. Christmas Eve for us is decorating cookies and carrots for Santa and the Reindeers and that’s the only thing that is consistent. With that aside, this year, we were intentional as a family to giveback to the community. Though we volunteer at different organizations (Second Harvest, Give Kids the World) we wanted to do something tangible that could potentially change the lives of the persons we interacted with. We decided to do SHOEBOXES FOR HAITI as our tangible gift. It was an amazing experience for Moses as he was the decisionmaker of the content of each box. We did boys in his age group and since he is always begging for a sister, we did princess shoeboxes for babies 0-3months old. It was amazing to see his choice of gifts. With no budget, we went to the Disney store and Moses stuffed the boxes beyond capacity, constantly saying “they are gonna love this mommy”. It was one of the most meaningful givebacks for me. As a child growing up in Jamaica, I received a shoebox on three (3) separate occasions. It was a delightful experience as a child to get a box from “America”. While the contents were amazing, the best gift I ever received in the shoebox was a pen pal that I am friends with on Facebook today as an adult. The thought, that someone would not only send a stranger a gift for Christmas but also send a picture and contact information was mind-blowing!! Having received this joy as a child more than 20 years ago, we enclosed a handwritten note saying “I LOVE YOU” from Moses attached to our family portrait. As a small business, slowing growing, giving back to our customers and to our community has been the most rewarding and cherished part of this entrepreneurial adventure. It is our hope to increase our giving, tangible and intangible for 2020 and beyond to ensure that by example, we can show that it is effortless to care for each another. Share your Christmas cheers with us. . Tell us about how you celebrated Christmas this year? Did you volunteer any time or gifts to your community? We are excited to hear from you all. Happy Holidays!! Thank you for choosing Mojamaican.
1 Comment
While this is not a tradition practiced by Jamaicans, Moses has fallen in love with the idea. We have been part-taking in this tradition for the past 2 years. It has been fun!!! Of course, we have decided to have everyone enjoy this family tradition with us. Here are some pictures of what Mr. Elf has been doing at MoJamaican. Clearly, he enjoys Jamaican Care Packages! What is The Elf on the Shelf®?The Elf on the Shelf® is a fun-filled Christmas tradition that has captured the hearts of children everywhere who welcome home one of Santa’s Scout Elves each holiday season. The magical Scout Elves help Santa manage his nice list by taking note of a family’s Christmas adventures and reporting back to Santa at the North Pole nightly. Each morning, the Scout Elf returns to its family and perches in a new spot, waiting for someone to spot them. Children love to wake up and race around the house looking for their Scout Elf.
You can tell Santa’s Official Scout Elves apart from other elves at the North Pole because they arrive in their official solid red jumpsuit with their very own storybook called The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. Being able to homeschool our little ones is both a blessing and a privilege. Homeschooling our children means taking control of the lens through which they experience the world; in the most practical and natural environment. While homeschooling Moses we came to the understanding that others can benefit from him being an entrepreneur. How? As you study world cultures you have the opportunity to taste the culture. Studying Jamaica? Our homeschool explorer package includes snacks, fun facts and the flag of Jamaica. We know your kids will enjoy Jamaica in a box. Let us help you make homeschool fun!!!!
IngredientsFor 4 Person(s) Recipe
 It has been an amazing year shipping Jamaican Care Packages to your doorsteps. We are excited to serve you for many, many more years. Daily we learn more about what you all need and we go above and beyond to add them to our inventory. Thank you for choosing MoJamaican. We love you! We appreciate your business STRAWBERRY BALLERS (RED CHEESE TRIX)- (BOX OF 2)
$2.50
Sold out Package includes TWO Strawberry Ballers. Free shipping on $40 or more in the USA DREAM SNACKS- (BOX OF 9)
$18.99
Included in this package is ONE of each snack item:
HTB BULLA SPICE (BOX OF 3)
$5.99
Package includes THREE HTB Bulla Spice Bulla cake, usually referred to as bulla, is a rich Jamaican cake made with molasses and spiced with ginger and nutmeg, sometimes dark-colored and other times light-colored. Bulla are small loaves that are flat and round. They are inexpensive and easy to make using molasses, flour and baking soda. HTB BULLA GINGER (Box of 3)
$5.99
Package includes THREE HTB Bulla Ginger Bulla cake, usually referred to as bulla, is a rich Jamaican cake made with molasses and spiced with ginger and nutmeg, sometimes dark-colored and other times light-colored. Bulla are small loaves that are flat and round. They are inexpensive and easy to make using molasses, flour and baking soda. JAMAICAN JACKASS CORN BISCUIT (BOX OF 3)
$8.99
Package includes THREE Jackass Corn Biscuits Jackass Corn is a thin crisp traditional Jamaican biscuit that is a popular sweet treat due to the easily accessible ingredients. The biscuit is baked tough. Many say the biscuit derived it name Jackass corn because it is tough and stubborn like a jackass (donkey). JAMAICAN GRATER CAKE (BOX OF 3)
$8.99
Package includes THREE Jamaican Grater Cake Made from coconut, spices, and sugar the grater cake is a delicious traditional Jamaican candy pastry that you are sure to love. Our simple recipe allows you to can get very creative. You can decorate your grater cake on special occasions. ROYAL MONTEGO TAMARIND BALLS AND BUSTA CANDY COMBO (BOX OF 2)
$5.99
Package includes ONE pack of Busta Candy and ONE pack of Tamarind balls Tamarind is a leguminous tree in the family Fabaceae indigenous to tropical Africa. The genus Tamarindus is a monotypic taxon. The tamarind tree produces pod-like fruit that contains an edible pulp used in cuisines around the world. Busta. This candy is also called Bustamante Backbone or Stagga Back. It's a hard candy made of wet sugar, coconut, ginger, and lime juice or cream of tartar. GLUTEN-FREE JAMAICAN SNACKS- (BOX OF 9)
$23.99
Package includes the following:
Guess what? Chips can be healthy, as is the case with these delicious Jamaican snacks. They’re gluten-free, cholesterol free, and contain 0 grams of trans-fat, no preservatives, and “absolutely no artificial flavoring,” allowing you to snack-on without shame. Hello everyone!!! We have been so busy! Moses and Carlos are on summer break, Crystal is doing summer school and David is as busy as always. While we have not blogged in a few weeks, we have maintained a strong presence on Instagram, follow us for frequent update (http://www.instagram.com/mojamaican). Our Facebook is not as updated because Crystal accidentally disconnected the two profiles, created a new profile, does not know how to delete the new profile and just a lot!. lol!! We will have it figured out soon. The blog says The Benjamins... what is that??? A NEW CATEGORY!!! The Benjamins is one of the trusted brands in Jamaica for products such as Rose Water, Bay Rum, Kananga Water and Ginger Extracts. For those unfamiliar with Bay Rum, it is used for thicker hair, more vibrant skin as a mood up lifter. Bay Rum is also helpful in hydrating and soothing your skin, especially after a shave. The oil of bay leaf also has pretty amazing healing powers, which is another reason it’s perfect for your skin in the winter months. In the past, it was used to relieve cuts and bruises. Bay leaf oil also has antifungal and anti-bacterial properties which can cure skin infections. Information on the Kananga water reads as follows. Plantations for producing Kananga water were established by the British in Jamaica in the 19th century. Kananga water, like Florida Water, is used in various rituals including spiritual cleaning. Its use is particularly common among people of the African diaspora. We added this category to give more of the Jamaican culture. We hope you enjoy each product. Thank you for your commitment to our brand and delivering the best Jamaican Care Packages to you and your loved ones. Thank you for choosing MoJamaican. BENJAMINS NATURAL GINGER EXTRACT (BOX OF 1)
$5.25
Package includes ONE 60ml bottle ofBenjamin Natural Ginger Extract This product may be used for flavoring ice cream, custards, jellies, jams, drinks, sauces, cakes and other pastries. BENJAMINS ROSE WATER/ AGUA ROSA (BOX OF 1)
$4.99
Package include ONE 120ml bottle of Benjamins Rose Water/Agua Rosa Rosewater helps maintain the skin's pH balance, and also controls excess oil. 2. "Rose water has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the redness of irritated skin, get rid of acne, dermatitis and eczema. BENJAMINS KANANGA WATER (BOX OF 1)
$6.99
Package includes ONE 120ml bottle of Kananga Water Kananga plantations were first established in Jamaica in the 19th century by the British. The spiritual water has a strong, sweet scent and is made primarily from the ylang ylang flower. The orange color of the water comes from its yellowish orange petals of the flowers. Suitable for both men and women, the powerful perfume can be used in a variety of ways. Robert Nesta Marley, OM (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer and songwriter. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, his musical career was marked by blending elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady, as well as forging a smooth and distinctive vocal and songwriting style.[1][2] Marley's contributions to music increased the visibility of Jamaican music worldwide, and made him a global figure in popular culture for over a decade.[3][4]
Born in Nine Mile, British Jamaica, Marley began his professional musical career in 1963, after forming Bob Marley and the Wailers. The group released its debut studio album The Wailing Wailers in 1965, which contained the single "One Love/People Get Ready"; the song was immensely popular, peaking in the top five on worldwide music charts, and established the group as a rising figure in reggae.[5] The Wailers subsequently released eleven further studio albums; while initially employing louder instrumentation and singing, the group began engaging in rhythmic-based song construction in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which coincided with the singer's conversion to Rastafarianism. During this period Marley relocated to London, and the group typified their musical shift with the release of the album The Best of The Wailers (1971).[6] The group attained international success after the release of the albums Catch a Fire and Burnin' (both 1973), and forged a reputation as touring artists. A year later the Wailers disbanded, and Marley went on to release his solo material under the band's name.[7] His debut studio album Natty Dread (1974) received positive reception, as did its follow-up Rastaman Vibration (1976). A few months after the album's release Marley survived an assassination attempt at his home in Jamaica, which prompted him to permanently relocate to London soon afterward. There he recorded the album Exodus (1977); it incorporated elements of blues, soul, and British rock, enjoyed widespread commercial success, and is widely considered one of the best albums of all time. Over the course of his career Marley became known as a Rastafari icon, and the singer sought to infuse his music with a sense of spirituality.[8] He is also considered a global symbol of Jamaican culture and identity, and was controversial in his outspoken support for the legalization of marijuana, while he also advocated for Pan-Africanism.[9] In 1977, Marley was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma; he died as a result of the illness in 1981. His fans around the world expressed their grief, and he received a state funeral in Jamaica. The greatest hits album Legend was released in 1984, and subsequently became the best-selling reggae album of all-time.[10] Marley also ranks as one of the best-selling music artists of all-time, with estimated sales of more than 75 million records worldwide,[11] while his sound and style have influenced artists of various genres. He was posthumously honored by Jamaica soon after his death, as he was designated the nation's Order of Merit award. GRACE INSTANT GINGER TEA- (BOX OF 1)
$3.59
Package includes ONE box of Grace Instant Ginger Tea (14 sachets). Nothing beats a hot cup of ginger tea. With its high levels of Vitamin C, magnesium and other minerals, ginger root is extremely beneficial for health. Once made into tea, you can add peppermint, honey or lemon to mask the taste of the ginger. Nothing beats a hot cup of ginger tea. With its high levels of Vitamin C, magnesium and other minerals, ginger root is extremely beneficial for health. Once made into tea, you can add peppermint, honey or lemon to mask the taste of the ginger.
No matter what the season, tea can be a tasty beverage since it can be served iced or hot. But its benefits go far beyond refreshment. There is plenty of research showing that drinking tea can actually improve your health. At the very least, it’s a flavorful way of getting enough fluid into your body each day. On top of that, studies have shown teas can help protect your teeth and your heart, as well as possibly even helping to stave off cancer. Which type of tea you drink can make a difference. All non-herbal teas are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The amount of time the leaves are processed determines whether you end up with a green, black or oolong tea. The green teas are the least processed and tend to have the highest amounts of polyphenols, and the only type that contain the polyphenol, catechin, which is why many studies have been done using only green teas. Certain herbal teas are known for their medicinal values, including soothing the digestive system. Ginger Tea Benefits: 8 health benefits of ginger tea
|
RSS Feed