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Archived: Fay Ann Shares 5 ‘Must Adopt’ Recession Tips!
Fay-Ann Lyons may be a lot of things but these days, she’s being pretty straight up… well, come to think about it, that’s nothing new. The Viqueen’s been quiet post carnival, after rushing home on Carnival Tuesday to bubble the most sumptuous Caribbean pot for her hubby- showing off her wifely skills, no doubt. She came in for high commendation for that move and we know Lyons-Alvarez isn’t about to stop when it comes to dishing out those divine meals. The ‘Raise’ singer has been in a pondering mood recently though. Seems like she’s thinking a lot about what’s happening around her, and there’s certainly good reason to.
Bunji got home on Carnival Tuesday to this!
Trinidad and Tobago, like many other countries around the world, is facing economic hardship. This past Carnival many people opted out of attending every fete, scaling their choices down to a couple of their favourite events. Some even opted out of playing mas this year, clearly a sign of the times. A number of fetes were cancelled- one of them, Fantasy’s fete, a huge surprise. Lyons-Alvarez, a mom, wife and artiste, in an Instagram post today, told fans, “Life is tough … The ones that make it look easy either work harder and sacrifice a lot more than you think, or have great acting skills. Find you!”
With all this talk about ‘a looming recession’ in T&T, we decided to get Fay-Ann’s top 5 tips on how to better economise in the kitchen. She was more than happy to share her personal methods with us, even revealing that she’s been working on a project that will eventually show people how to cook like country people do, so that you’re able to cook with less and save more.
FAY-ANN’S ECONOMIZING TIPS:
- Cook more at home. Order Less take out and dine out less. “You get more food that can last for a longer time when you cook at home. You also save on vehicular gas and you get to spend time with your family.”
- Prepare your food in advance. Choose your least busy day and season all meats, cut up vegetables and freeze. “For busy moms, this will help. Also, try cooking at odd hours. I’ve been known to get up and cook at 1am, before 7am flights.”
- Read product labels more. Look at the shelf life of items. “Canned goods have longer shelf life than packaged goods like dry peas etc. It may be a little less healthy honestly, but when it comes to saving, it may be better. Canned goods are also better when it comes to storage because ‘weebles’ (pantry pests) can’t get into the cans”
- Stop doing small grocery shopping (message grocery as she called it). “In the country we say making message, (chuckles). People need to try to put their budget together in a way that allows them to buy their bulk grocery items once a month. Save the money and go in the grocery and buy the essentials once a month. During the month you can buy small portions of fruit and vegetables. The money stretches more.”
- Plan your meals. “If you plan your meals, it’s possible to cook on a budget and cook healthy and make sure your family is well fed. We go to the high end restaurants and order grilled chicken, vegetables and pasta, when in reality we can cook these things at home. We just need to plan our meals.”
Fay Ann’s daughter, Syri gets in on the kitchen action.
Having grown up in in the South, Lyons -Alvarez understands what it means to save a dollar. She says in the country, people understand the importance of re-using left over food, making a fresh pot of food with items from the day before. ” We have to be creative with food. Be innovative,” she said, excitedly telling us that she’s working on this project that will bring some light to this subject and other cooking related things, when it’s unveiled.
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‘I Am Legend’ Concert Promoter, Glenroy Watson Has Passed Away.
Caribbean Buzz
Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.