It’s Time To Bloom

intervention which are most helpful when started early.

How can the church support parents with special needs?

Acknowledge them and understand the tremendous emotional, physical and psychological stress they are going through. Provide respite. My church eventually started a special needs Sunday school so that their parents can enjoy the service uninterrupted.

What kind of struggles does your child have because of his challenge?

Every child with autism is unique. No two children with autism are the same. Someone said, “Once you see a child with autism, all you’ve seen is a child with autism.” Everyone is different in the way the disease affects them, their strengths and weaknesses.

How does having a child with a disability affect your other children?

With three children and a career, it’s a struggle giving all the kids the attention they need and desire as their sibling with autism demands so much of you. We have been intentional about involving the other kids in this journey and continue to affirm them to bridge this gap.

What progress have you seen in your child since his initial diagnosis?

He is now almost indistinguishable from his peers. He is sociable, interactive, and self-sufficient. At 12 he does his own laundry, his room is spotless, he makes simple meals and is very affectionate. He loves the house of God. He wants to be in church every time it opens and has gone for church camps alone. He still struggles with comprehension and expression but that too shall pass. A lot of people that knew my son ask me what I did to help him get better, the truth is, it is God who did it and all praise belongs to Him alone. I’d be remiss if I tell you that I don’t have moments when I imagine what would have been. But in life you don’t get to choose your battles and I’m grateful for the lessons I have learned and for the progress made.

What concerns do you have for your child’s future?

DO YOU NEED TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY?

or you need to help maintain a normal blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels? Or you need to improve your respiratory conditions like asthma,coughing and wheezing from allergies, flu, bronchitis etc. Search no more! The help you need is here at your doorsteps.

For more enquiry, please call 07039538975 or log in to www.rainintl.com, register as a preffered customer and put in ID Number: 478560 as sponsor ID Number and place your order.

Guacamole (Dip)

The recent lock down (though it’s being gradually eased) has shown that a lot of people tend to snack away at almost every hour of the day. My husband and kids are clear examples. Aside from breakfast, lunch and dinner times, they snack on plantain chips and groundnuts every other hour. Even when I try to enforce fruits, they get bored easily. Then I discovered something else exciting they can actually enjoy with their go-to finger snacks. Guacamole! (Pronounced as gwaka-mole)

Oh, wait! Did someone just ask what guacamole is? Guacamole is simply an avocado-based dip, sauce, or salad. It was first developed in Mexico hence the name ‘Guacamole’ which simply translates as ‘Avocado Sauce’ in traditional Mexican Spanish (Guaca meaning Avocado, and mole meaning Sauce.) So why a Mexican cuisine? Why not? After all, avocado is also native to almost every country in the world especially the Western and Southern parts of Nigeria.

So, let’s dive into making this yummy home-made recipe.

Ingredients

z 1 standard size avocado pear z 1 small onion z 1/2 a piece of scotch bonnet/ habanero pepper (ata rodo). z Salt z 1 teaspoon of dry cayenne pepper z A tablespoon of chopped basil or fresh scent leaves (efinrin) z 1 clove of garlic z 1/2 a lime z 3 tablespoons of boiled corn seeds

Instructions

1. Cut open the avocados, remove the seed and scoop out the green fleshy mushy bit into a clean bowl. 3. Blend if you want it very smooth, or mash with a fork to the consistency you desire.

4. Now add the finely chopped scent leaves and boiled corn, then stir. (The corn serves as a sweetener.)

5. Taste the paste and adjust the seasoning to your taste.

6. Serve with whatever you desire. You can try it as a dip for any finger snack of your choice. It can also serve as a different but delicious sauce for your rice. You just go ahead and experiment.

2. Finely chop the habanero pepper, onion, garlic and add to the bowl.

Sprinkle in the dry pepper and the squeezed out lime juice*. *Tip: Aside from its excellent health benefits, the lime-juice prevents the guacamole from turning brown thereby making it stay green for a bit longer.