Horsemeat scandal

I have been taken quite by surprise when this scandal came out, not because horsemeat was included but because the public has been deceived and lied to. As a consumer we have the right to be provided with what is on the label and Tesco and other big industries such as Findus have done the total opposite.

The first time we heard about this horsemeat scandal was back in 1948 where horses were killed and sold on the black market mostly to restaurants who want to save a penny or two, fast forward to 2013 and we have the same thing going on but now on a wider spread.  It has become so out of hand that authorities have officially stated that they cannot come up with a definite number or how many products have been contaminated by horsemeat.

First discovered in the budget burgers offered at Tescos and then in Findus lasagne and then cases multiplied, including  school canteens food.  Why shouldn't a person paying for a budget burger get an honest product, in the Premium products there was no traces of horsemeat found… so does this mean that people who cannot afford Premium products have less consumer rights?

This has made me question the meat that I buy. I'm currently living in Austria and my German skills are not very good (ok they are bad, horribly bad) so I always buy meat from Supermarkets where I do not have to ask anyone and won’t have to humiliate myself  trying to explain that I want chicken breast not chicken wings (mental note I have to Google translate Chicken to German). How fresh is it the meat that we are buying from these supermarkets and how long did it take to get there?  

Although as customers we will most probably always be deceived by these big chain supermarkets, one thing is for sure, I shall never buy meat from these supermarkets again and will opt to the original butcher who offer local and fresh meat who knows maybe it might help me improve me my German skills.

Tips not to over shop!

Pinky: I have a habit of purchasing anything that is cheap! That's how my wardrobe is always so full yet still i find it difficult to choose an outfit. (plus my wardrobe is one big mess)

So this time round I plan to tackle my Dublin shopping sprees in a different manner. Let's give it a shot.

1. I shall not start my shopping in Primark/Pennys. I shall try out TK Max, Forever 21(still need to discover this) and other shops i usually visit.

2. Once I locate an item I shall ask my self- Do I need this? Does it go with anything I have in my wardrobe?

3. If one of the above questions is a Yes I shall look at the price tag if its within budget I shall try it on then purchase.

4. If its something I don't necessary need such as a cartoon print t shirt, a set of hair pins I shall look at the price tag and if its below 8euros the yes I can purchase it!

5. I've also planned a list of things I NEED to buy :) here's the fun part. Such as black flat boots and a khaki coat with a hood if possible! I'll try to stick to the list :)

What do you think brain? is this Dublin mission possible?

Brain: Pinky as much as I would like to say no this is total;y doable it is going to be a big challenge, with our shopaholic syndrome (yes that is also classified as a syndrome) and all those bargains screaming at us .. how are we going to be able to keep the budget?

I think your points are very good I only have a few remarks

- Point 1 please add A wear, cannot not ( yes I used a double negative) go there they have good quality clothes and can find good bargains there.

- Point 4 - I think 8 euros is far too high for the prices that primark have, make it 5 much better

- Points to add

6. lets avoid buying sky high heals and opt for more comfy shoes, at least they will be worn more and not only for sit down meals

7.   do not let me buy another scarf, I have enough to last me a lifetime... ok maybe not a life time

8. we both have a lot of braclets, necklases etc, lets make it a point not to go all crazy at Primark when we get to this section

Pinky- I agree :) thank you brain...will try to steer away from sky high shoes that i can barely walk in :)

Here comes the bride!

I have recently just finished a really good and gripping book by Khaled Hosseini, called Thousand Splendid Suns. Based in Afghanistan, the books tells of the struggles of an illegitimate girl,a harami Miriam and her struggles which then lead her to Laila. This is the third book I have read based in Afghanistan. I started with another Khaled Hosseini book called The Kite Runner, and moved on to The book seller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad.

All three books have been eye openers to me, I realized that I live in a bubble and I really do not appreciate how free I am. I was given an education, I can go out shopping alone, wear a skirt, sing and dance, something that during the Taliban regime was impossible especially since I am a girl. Medical care is offered for free in my country (Malta), we have clean hospitals proving food and comfort. Till this day people in Afghanistan have no access to medicines and only 2 from 5 children live to the age of five. Most of these deaths can be prevented with basic medication.

Coming from an anthropological and philosophical background I kept in mind that this was a different culture, different practises and beliefs. But then again in 40 years Afghanistan was ruled by so many different leaders, groups and countries all of which imposed different laws. The Afghani culture was abused and twisted to what the party or leader in command wanted from the people. This I think has led to turmoil, abuse of power and discrimination.

Another issue which startled me was the young age at which girls are married off. I wanted to know more about all this. In Thousand Splendid suns Miriam was forced to marry so her father could keep face, other families married their daughters as they cannot afford to feed them any more  Some hope for a better life for their daughters and in some cases the daughter's feel that this is the right choice.

This National Geographic video posted below is a short lecture about this. The photo journalists has some stunning and dramatic images of these girls. She started her research from a hospital were a large number of girls were being treated for self harm. This led her to investigate the world of child brides to find our more. Child brides are not found in Afghanistan but all over the world.

 Warning- video contains graphic images. 

If you are interested in all this the learn more from the  NGO Girls not Brides.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
Nelson Mandela

Update- I came across this article which reminded me of my post. Although its from the Daily Mail you can watch the video of the girl on you tube.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2373151/Go-ahead-marry--Ill-kill-Escaped-child-bride-11-explains-ran-away-home.html